wish the sun would never shine!'

He hid his eyes and ears in the pillow, as if he never wished to see
the light again, and would hear nothing. The two girls both stood
trembling. Ellen looked at Miss Selby, and she felt that she must
say something. But what could she say?

With tears in her eyes she laid hold of Alfred's thin hand and tried
to speak, choked by tears. 'Dear Alfred, don't say such dreadful
things. You know we are all so sorry for you; but God sent it.'

Alfred gave a groan of utter distress, as if it were no consolation.

'And--and things come to do us good,' continued Miss Jane, the tears
starting to her cheeks.

'I don't know what good it can do me to lie here!' cried Alfred.

'Oh, but, Alfred, it must.'

'I tell you,' exclaimed the poor boy, forgetting his manners, so that
Ellen stood dismayed, 'it does not do me good! I didn't use to hate
Harold, nor to hate everybody.'

'To hate Harold!' said Jane faintly.

'Ay,' said Alfred, 'when I hear him whooping about like mad, and
jumping and leaping, and going on like I used to do, and never shall
again.'