Holding his curly head in his hands , as if to keep it from flying asunder with the various plans working inside , he sat staring at the dusty bricks in a desperate frame of mind . Warm days were coming , and every hour was precious , for poor Kitty pined in the close room , and all he could do was to bring her dandelions and bits of green grass from the Common when she begged to go in the fields and pick `` pretties '' for herself . He loved the little sister dearly , and , as he remembered her longing , his eyes filled , and he doubled up both fists with an air of determination , muttering to himself , -- `` She shall go ! I do n't see any other way , and I 'll do it ! '' The plan which had been uppermost lately was this . His father had been a sailor , and Jimmy proposed to run away to sea as cabin boy . His wages were to be paid before he went , so mother and Kitty could be in the country while he was gone , and in a few months he would come sailing gayly home to find the child her rosy self again . A very boyish and impossible plan , but he meant it , and was in just the mood to carry it out , -- for every other attempt to make money had failed . `` I 'll do it as sure as my name is Jim Nelson . I 'll take a look at the ships this very night , and go in the first one that will have me , '' he said , with a resolute nod of the head , though his heart sank within him at the thought . `` I wonder which kind of captains pay boys best ? I guess I 'll try a steamer ; they make short trips . I heard the cannon to-day , so one is in , and I 'll try for a place before I go to bed . '' Little did desperate Jimmy guess what ship he would really sail in , nor what a prosperous voyage he was about to make ; for help was coming that very minute , as it generally does , sooner or later , to generous people who are very much in earnest . First a shrill whistle was heard , at the sound of which he looked up quickly ; then a rosy-faced girl of about his own age came skipping down the street , swinging her hat by one string ; and , as Jimmy watched her approach , a smile began to soften the grim look he wore , for Willy Bryant was his best friend and neighbor , being full of courage , fun , and kindness . He nodded , and made room for her on the step , -- the place she usually occupied at spare moments when they got lessons and recounted their scrapes to each other . But to-night Willy seemed possessed of some unusually good piece of news which she chose to tell in her own lively fashion , for , instead of sitting down , she began to dance a sailor 's hornpipe , singing gayly , `` I 'm little Buttercup , sweet little Buttercup , '' till her breath gave out . `` What makes you so jolly , Will ? '' asked Jimmy , as she dropped down beside him and fanned herself with the ill-used hat . `` Such fun -- you 'll never guess -- just what we wanted -- if your mother only will !
You 'll dance , too , when you know , '' panted the XXXXX , smiling like a substantial sort of fairy come to bring good luck .
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