A boy sat on a door-step in a despondent attitude , with his eyes fixed on a pair of very shabby shoes , and his elbows resting on his knees , as if to hide the big patches there . But it was not the fact that his toes were nearly out and his clothes dilapidated which brought the wrinkles to his forehead and the tears to his eyes , for he was used to that state of things , and bore it without complaint . The prospect was a dull one for a lively lad full of the spring longings which sunny April weather always brings . But it was not the narrow back-street where noisy children played and two or three dusty trees tried to bud without sunshine , that made him look so dismal . Nor was it the knowledge that a pile of vests was nearly ready for him to trudge away with before he could really rest after doing many errands to save mother 's weary feet . No , it was a burden that lay very heavily on his heart , and made it impossible to even whistle as he waited . Above the sounds that filled the street he heard a patient moan from the room within ; and no matter what object his eyes rested on , he saw with sorrowful distinctness a small white face turned wistfully toward the window , as if weary of the pillow where it had laid so long . Merry little Kitty , who used to sing and dance from morning till night , was now so feeble and wasted that he could carry her about like a baby . All day she lay moaning softly , and her one comfort was when `` brother '' could come and sing to her . That night he could not sing ; his heart was so full , because the doctor had said that the poor child must have country air as soon as possible , else she never would recover from the fever which left her such a sad little ghost of her former self . But , alas , there was no money for the trip , and mother was sewing day and night to earn enough for a week at least of blessed country air and quiet . Jimmy did his best to help , but could find very little to do , and the pennies came in so slowly he was almost in despair . There was no father to lend a strong hand , and Mrs. Nelson was one of the `` silent poor , '' who can not ask for charity , no matter how much they may need it . The twelve-year-old boy considered himself the man of the family , and manfully carried as many burdens as his young shoulders would bear ; but this was a very heavy one , so it is no wonder that he looked sober . Holding his curly head in his hands , as if to keep it from flying asunder with the various plans working inside , he sat staring at the dusty bricks in a desperate frame of mind . Warm days were coming , and every hour was precious , for poor Kitty pined in the close room , and all he could do was to bring her dandelions and bits of green grass from the Common when she begged to go in the fields and pick `` pretties '' for herself . He loved the little sister dearly , and , as he remembered her longing , his eyes filled , and he doubled up both fists with an air of determination , muttering to himself , -- `` She shall go ! I do n't see any other way , and I 'll do it ! '' The plan which had been uppermost lately was this . His father had been a sailor , and Jimmy proposed to run away to sea as cabin boy .
His wages were to be paid before he went , so mother and XXXXX could be in the country while he was gone , and in a few months he would come sailing gayly home to find the child her rosy self again .
Jimmy Kitty Nelson back-street errands left night pretties twelve-year-old week