Kenny's Comfort
IT WAS KENNY'S bad luck, so he thought, to
be the youngest in a family of five children. He had one big
sister and three big brothers, and he—well, he was just the
"little 'un."
Kenny didn't like being the "little 'un," for many reasons,
but chiefly because his sister and his brothers were so big and
so busy that they didn't have any time to play with him. During
the day they would be away at school, and when they
came home in the evening they had homework to do; or they
would want to go and play with friends of their own age.
So poor little Kenny felt quite lonely at times. How he did
wish for a little sister—someone who would belong to him
and play with him and be interested in the same things he
was!
"Daddy," he would say sometimes, "can't you get me a
baby sister somewhere? I do so want one."
And Daddy would say, "I wish I could, dear; but they are
very hard to find. I'll keep it in mind, though."
And then Kenny would say, "But Daddy, when you go
traveling sometime, couldn't you just pick one up and bring her home with you? There must be lots of little girls who
would like to come and live with me."
"It's not so easy as that," Daddy would reply, "but I'll
keep looking and maybe, one day—well, you never know
what might happen."
So Daddy went on his travels and told all his friends
about his lonely little boy at home who wanted a baby sister
so very much that he was even praying for one.
Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you that—Kenny was praying for a
baby sister every night.
And some of Daddy's friends smiled and thought it was
very funny; but it wasn't funny to Kenny. It was nothing to
laugh about.
Then one day something happened.
Daddy opened a letter that said: "Dear Sir: I have been
told that you are looking for a baby girl. I happen to know of
one who needs a home. She is just two-and-a-half years old
and is a very sweet child. Perhaps you would like to come and
see her."
Then Daddy was scared and wished he hadn't told so
many people about the poor lonely little boy who wanted a
baby sister. He knew that he was "on the spot," and had to
decide one way or the other. He began to count up what it
would cost to go and see the child, what it would cost to bring
her home, what it would cost to feed her and clothe her for
years and years and years.
Kenny wasn't worried, though. He thought it was just
grand, and felt sure that his prayer was really going to be answered
at last.
"Now don't get so excited," said Daddy; "she may not be a
bit nice
"
"But the letter says she is 'very sweet,' " said Kenny.
"Well," said Daddy, "maybe we won't think she is; and
anyway, perhaps something else will prevent our taking her.
Just think what it will cost!"
"Oh, she won't cost much," said Kenny. "She's so little. 15
And I'm sure she's nice. Of course she is. Anyway, Daddy,
you will go to see her?"
"Well, I don't know," said Daddy. "It's a big risk. Er—er—
just think "
"Oh, don't think about it, Daddy; just go," said Kenny.
So Daddy went. There was really nothing else for him to
do. And sure enough, at his journey's end, there she was, a
tiny little thing with blue eyes and light curly hair—so thin
and so wee and needing a home so very much.
What could he do? He looked her all over; he thought
about Kenny; and then, completely forgetting all about the
cost, he picked her up, and put her in his pocket—well, not
quite, but almost—and brought her all the long, long way
home.
When he reached home there was Kenny, eagerly waiting
on the doorstep, thrilled to the innermost part of his lonely little soul.
No baby born could have had a warmer welcome. Kenny 17
waited on her hand and foot, washing her face, her hands,
her feet, when they got dirty—as they so often did—putting
her to bed at night, dressing her in the morning, tying on her
bib at mealtimes, and looking after her with a big brother's
devotion.
And how beautifully they played together! Kenny found
his old tricycle and fixed it up so that Little Sister could ride
on it. Of course, he was much too big for a tricycle now and
had a bicycle of his own. So round and round the house they
would go, shrieking with delight and having the grandest
time together.
When they got tired of riding, Kenny would put Little Sister
in his wagon and take her across the lawn and round the
garden paths, running so fast that she had to hold on with all
her might to keep from falling out.
They were so happy that a stranger looking at them
might well have thought that they had known each other all
their little lives.
Six months later Daddy and Kenny were out one day
alone together.
"Now, Kenny, don't you think it's about time we sent the
little girl back?" said Daddy.
"Oh, no!" cried Kenny.
"Do you really want to keep her?"
"Of course I do, always," said Kenny.
"But why?" asked Daddy.
" 'Cos she's my comfort," said Kenny.
And she really was. Never again did Kenny say he was
lonely.
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