Little Alfred

While Alfred’s brothers helped their father to fish the little boy would steal away from them to a small brook which ran through the meadow where his father allowed him to go by himself because there was no danger. Mr. Penrose did not like to have Alfred too near him when he was fishing. The little fellow’s merry laugh and loud voice frightened away the fish. So as we have said Alfred would steal away to the little brook and launch the shingle boat with its paper sails which his brother Harry had made for him; or pick his way across the brook on the stepping stones to the sunny bank in search of the beautiful flowers which peep forth from among the withered leaves of the last year. And handfuls of the pretty light blue flower called innocence would he gather for it is found everywhere in its season smiling in wood and meadow by shaded streams and in the glittering sunshine