A China Cup and Other Stories for Children (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: The Dream JHERE once lived a little boy called Basil. He had a good mamma, who worked hard to educate her child. They lived alone: they had no relatives, no servants. His mamma tried never to leave Basil alone in the evening; when she had some work to carry to her employer she always tried to do it in the daytime. A friend once presented Basil's mamma with a ticket for the theatre. This took place in her absence. When she returned home Basil met her with great joy. 'Mamma dearest, textit{Petrtextit{Petrbvich (Mr. Peter) has been here and left a ticket for you. You shall go to hear the opera to-night. You like the opera, don't you ? ' But, my dear boy, what shall I do with the ticket ? I cannot go.' ' And why, mamma ?' 'Why, I can't leave you all alone at home; if we had two tickets we could both go; but without you I can't go.' 'No, no, you must go, mamma,' insisted Basil. ' No, my darling, I can't leave you,' said his mother, sighing; 'you would be afraid, and something might happen to you.' 'You might ask Mrs. textit{Lookina to stay with me.' Mrs. Lookina was their neighbour, living on the same landing in the same large house. ' It is hard to be under an obligation to any one, my dear; the last time when I had to take home somehurried work I asked Mrs. Lookina to stay some time with you. I cannot do so too often ; she has work of her own.' 'Then I shall stay alone, and will not be afraid,' answered Basil; ' and if anything happens, I shall call Mrs. Lookina; and if nothing happens, I shall not call her.' Basil's mother saw very well that the boy wished her to go to the theatre. She was much pleased ; she kissed him tenderly, but did not say what she intended to do. But by the glance she cast at the ticket, the way she put it aside, the sigh which followed, Basil unders...