“Why, that's beautiful,” said Mrs. Murray; “I should like to live in a house like that myself.”
“Oh, mother!” shouted Hughie, “isn't it splendid? Ranald and Don are going to live in it all the sugaring time, and Ranald wants me to come, too. Mayn't I, mother? Aw, do let me.”
The mother looked down upon the eager face, smiled, and shook her head. “What about the night, Hughie?” she said. “It will be very dark in the woods here, and very cold, too. Ranald and Don are big boys and strong, but I'm afraid my little boy would not be very comfortable sleeping outside.”
“Oh, mother, we'll be inside, and it'll be awful warm--and oh, you might let me!” Hughie's tears were restrained only by the shame of weeping before his hero, Ranald.
“Well, we will see what your father says when he comes home.”
“Oh, mother, he will just say 'no' right off, and--”
A shadow crossed his mother's face, but she only answered quietly, “Never mind just now, Hughie; we will think of it. Besides,” she added, “I don't know how much Ranald wants to be bothered with a wee boy like you.”
Ranald gave her a quick, shy glance and answered:
“He will be no trouble, Mrs. Murray”; and then, noticing Hughie's imploring face, he ventured to add, “and indeed, I hope you will let him come. I will take good care of him.”
“Oh, mother!” cried Hughie, seeing her hesitation, “just one night; I won't be a bit afraid.”
“No, I don't believe you would,” looking down into the brave young face. “But what about your mother, Hughie?”
“Oh, pshaw! you wouldn't be afraid.” Hughie's confidence in his mother's courage was unbounded.
“I don't know about that,” she replied; and then turning to Ranald, “How about our friends of the other night?” she said. “Will they not be about?” Hughie had not heard about the wolves.
“Oh, there is no fear of them. We will keep a big fire all night, and besides, we will have our guns and the dogs.”
“Guns!” cried Mrs. Murray. This was a new terror for her boy. “I'm afraid I cannot trust Hughie where there are guns. He might--”
“Indeed, let me catch him touching a gun!” said Ranald, quickly, and from his tone and the look in his face, Mrs. Murray felt sure that Hughie would be safe from self-destruction by the guns.