a　with　me。　I’ll　ask　cook　to　bake　you　a　little　cake；　and　then　you　shall　help　me　to　look　over　your　drawers；　for　I　am　soon　to　pack　your　trunk。　Missis　intends　you　to　leave　Gateshead　in　a　day　or　two；　and　you　shall　choose　what　toys　you　like　to　take　with　you。”

“Bessie；　you　must　promise　not　to　scold　me　any　more　till　I　go。”

“Well；　I　will；　but　mind　you　are　a　very　good　girl；　and　don’t　be　afraid　of　me。　Don’t　start　when　I　chance　to　speak　rather　sharply；　it’s　so　provoking。”

“I　don’t　think　I　shall　ever　be　afraid　of　you　again；　Bessie；　because　I　have　got　used　to　you；　and　I　shall　soon　have　another　set　of　people　to　dread。”

“If　you　dread　them　they’ll　dislike　you。”

“As　you　do；　Bessie？”

“I　don’t　dislike　you；　Miss；　I　believe　I　am　fonder　of　you　than　of　all　the　others。”

“You　don’t　show　it。”

“You　little　sharp　thing！　you’ve　got　quite　a　new　way　of　talking。　What　makes　you　so　venturesome　and　hardy？”

“Why；　I　shall　soon　be　away　from　you；　and　besides”—I　was　going　to　say　something　about　what　had　passed　between　me　and　Mrs。　Reed；　but　on　second　thoughts　I　considered　it　better　to　remain　silent　on　that　head。

“And　so　you’re　glad　to　leave　me？”

“Not　at　all；　Bessie；　indeed；　just　now　I’m　rather　sorry。”

“Just　now！　and　rather！　How　coolly　my　little　lady　says　it！　I　dare　say　now　if　I　were　to　ask　you　for　a　kiss　you　wouldn’t　give　it　me：　you’d　say　you’d　rather　not。”

“I’ll　kiss　you　and　wele：　bend　your　head　down。”　Bessie　stooped；　we　mutual