Psyche glanced up at the wasted limb , and when she drew again there was a blur before her eyes for a minute . `` I wish I was as fat as this white boy ; but I get thinner every day somehow , and pretty soon there wo n't be any of me left but my little bones , '' said the child , looking at the winged cherub with sorrowful envy . `` Do n't , my darling ; do n't say that , '' cried Psyche , dropping her work with a sudden pang at her heart . `` I 'm a sinful , selfish girl to keep you here ! you 're weak for want of air ; come out and see the chickens , and pick dandelions , and have a good romp with the boys . '' The weak arms were strong enough to clasp Psyche 's neck , and the tired face brightened beautifully as the child exclaimed , with grateful delight , -- `` Oh , I 'd like it very much ! I wanted to go dreadfully ; but everybody is so busy all the time . I do n't want to play , Sy ; but just to lie on the grass with my head in your lap while you tell stories and draw me pretty things as you used to . '' The studio was deserted all that afternoon , for Psyche sat in the orchard drawing squirrels on the wall , pert robins hopping by , buttercups and mosses , elves and angels ; while May lay contentedly enjoying sun and air , sisterly care , and the `` pretty things '' she loved so well . Psyche did not find the task a hard one ; for this time her heart was in it , and if she needed any reward she surely found it ; for the little face on her knee lost its weary look , and the peace and beauty of nature soothed her own troubled spirit , cheered her heart , and did her more good than hours of solitary study . Finding , much to her own surprise , that her fancy was teeming with lovely conceits , she did hope for a quiet evening . But mother wanted a bit of gossip , father must have his papers read to him , the boys had lessons and rips and grievances to be attended to , May 's lullaby could not be forgotten , and the maids had to be looked after , lest burly `` cousins '' should be hidden in the boiler , or lucifer matches among the shavings . So Psyche 's day ended , leaving her very tired , rather discouraged , and almost heart-sick with the shadow of a coming sorrow . All summer she did her best , but accomplished very little , as she thought ; yet this was the teaching she most needed , and in time she came to see it . In the autumn May died , whispering , with her arms about her sister 's neck , -- `` You make me so happy , Sy , I would n't mind the pain if I could stay a little longer . But if I ca n't , good-by , dear , good-by . '' Her last look and word and kiss were all for Psyche , who felt then with grateful tears that her summer had not been wasted ; for the smile upon the little dead face was more to her than any marble perfection her hands could have carved . In the solemn pause which death makes in every family , Psyche said , with the sweet self-forgetfulness of a strong yet tender nature , -- `` I must not think of myself , but try to comfort them ; '' and with this resolution she gave herself heart and soul to duty , never thinking of reward . A busy , anxious , humdrum winter , for , as Harry said , `` it was hard times for every one . '' Mr. Dean grew gray with the weight of business cares about which he never spoke ; Mrs. Dean , laboring under the delusion that an invalid was a necessary appendage to the family , installed herself in the place the child 's death left vacant , and the boys needed much comforting , for the poor lads never knew how much they loved `` the baby '' till the little chair stood empty .
All turned to XXXXX for help and consolation , and her strength seemed to increase with the demand upon it .
Harry Sy buttercups cherub day elves pang robins self-forgetfulness squirrels