Page 57 - An Australian Lassie

But Alma only sighed.

Dot began to think again, comparing in her own mind this home of Alma's with her own little bush home.

"Oh!" she said at last; "How happy you ought to be. How would you like to change places with me!"

And to her surprise Alma burst into tears, covering her face with her little trembling hands.

Gentle ways belonged to Dorothea.

She stood up and put her friend into her chair and then she knelt beside her, and slipped her arm round her
waist.

"Dearest Alma!" she whispered.

"Oh," sobbed Alma, "if only you were my very own sister Thea--T couldn't love you more. T'm so lonely.
Father is always busy, and mother--mother is disappointed in me."

Dot opened her eyes in surprise. She had never dreamed of a mother being disappointed in her child.

"T'm not pretty--or clever--or anything," sobbed Alma. "She's always been disappointed in me--ever since T
was a tiny baby--and T've always known it--and--and--she doesn't know T know. Oh dear!"

Dot was shocked. "Darling Alma!" she said again.

"Tt's dreadful to be the only child--and to be a disappointment," said Alma. "T think father is sorry for us both."

Dot stroked the girl's straight hair.

"You've got lovely eyes," she said, "and you're very clever at crotchet work."

"What's that!" said Alma drearily. "Mother wouldn't mind if T never touched a needle. She says if a girl hasn't
beauty she has only one other chance in the world--and that is to be brilliant. T do try to be clever--but it's no
good."

Dot kissed her.

"When you are grown up you'll look different," she said. "You'll wear long trailing dresses--and--do your hair
like this--and--- "

But Alma sprang to her feet.

"What a croaker T am," she said. "T never told this to any one before. Thea--it is my very biggest secret. You'll
never tell any one, will you? Never! never! Father says if T'm good T'll be beautiful enough for him. But oh, T
wish T were you!"

"And I've been wishing T were you," said Dot.

"T suppose," said Alma, with one of her most wistful looks, "T suppose we're meant to be ourselves for some
reason. And we must make the best of ourselves just as we are!"

And the two girls kissed each other tenderly.