Fee's eyes were wide open, and so bright! they shone right through his
glasses; he leaned forward and looked anxiously from one to the other of
us, his hands opening and shutting nervously on his knees as he spoke.
"Are you _sure_ about this?" he asked wistfully; "because I've dreamed
this sort of thing sometimes, and--and--the awakening always upsets me
for a day or two."
"Why, _certainly_ we're sure!" cried Nora. "_Dead sure!_" answered Phil,
emphatically; and Nora added reproachfully: "Why, Felix! aren't you
glad? I thought you'd be delighted."
"_Glad?_" echoed Fee, "_glad?_ why, I'm--" His voice failed, and turning
hurriedly from us, he buried his face in the sofa cushions.
All this time I hadn't said a word; I really couldn't. You see, ever
since I've been a choir boy, I've saved all the money that's been paid
me for singing, so's to get enough to send Fee to college. Betty didn't
think much of my scheme: she said 'twould take such a long while before
I could get even half the amount; but still I kept on saving for it,--I
haven't spent a penny of my salary,--and you've no idea how full the
bank was, and _heavy!_ I've just hugged the little iron box sometimes,
when I thought of what that money would do for Fee; and for a few
minutes after I heard Nora's story I was so disappointed that I
_couldn't_ congratulate him.
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