He called after him:
"Daddy! I don't know whether I am right or wrong. Only--only I know
somebody that needs this bread and meat because he is hungry. He's
_real_ hungry. Can't I give it to him?"
"I think that hunger should be appeased first. Go ahead," said Mr.
Bunker, but still quite seriously. "Then if you feel that you can come
and tell me about it, all right."
At that Russ hurried away, much relieved. Rose came into sight and would
have run after him, but Daddy Bunker stopped her.
"Don't chase him now. He has something particular to do, Rose."
"I think that's real mean!" exclaimed Rose. "He's hiding something from
me!"
"My!" said Daddy, "do you think your brother should tell you everything
he knows or does?"
"Why not?" retorted Rose. "I'm sure, Daddy, he is welcome to know
everything I know."
"Are you sure? Moreover, perhaps he does not care to know all your
secrets," said Mr. Bunker.
"Anyhow, you must learn, Rose, that other people have a right to their
own private mysteries; you must not be inquisitive. Russ has got
something on his mind, it is true; but without doubt we shall all know
what it is by and by."
"Well!" exclaimed Rose, with almost a gasp. She could not quite
understand her father's reasoning.
Russ Bunker appeared after a while, looking still very grave indeed for
a boy of his age. Daddy kept from saying or doing anything to suggest
that he was curious; but Rose found it hard not to tease her brother to
explain his taking food from the table and hiding it in his pockets.
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