“Dear,” Mother answered, “the baby is still fast asleep, just as the little flower buds are, and we must watch and wait until he comes.  It will not be very long, little son, and then how happy we’ll be, you and Father and I!”

“At first the baby will be too small and helpless to play, and will need his big brother to take care of him so that he may grow tall and strong.  Then, by and by, he will be able to run about and talk, and play with you.  But always, always, he will need you to help him, and teach him, and care for him.”

After that evening, when Mother had whispered the beautiful secret to him, Johnnie Jones would ask her each day:  “Will our baby wake up and come tomorrow?” But Mother could not tell him, so they just waited, and made ready, day after day.

At last one bright, warm morning when Johnnie Jones awoke, he saw Father bending down over his bed with such a happy face that he asked at once:  “Has our baby waked up and come?”

“Yes,” Father answered, “there is a Little Brother in Mother’s room, and she says she can’t wait any longer to show him to you.”

Johnnie Jones was very much excited and, as soon as possible, he tiptoed into Mother’s room.  Father had asked him to be very quiet.

“Come here, dear,” Mother said, “I have been waiting such a long time for you.”  She drew him down beside her, and showed him a tiny baby boy no larger than a doll.

As Johnnie Jones leaned down to see, the Little Brother opened his eyes wide, and looked at him.  Johnnie Jones was too happy to say a word.  He sat down close to the bed, and Father placed the baby in his arms.  Johnnie Jones held him very carefully, so that he might not hurt him or let him fall.

“He is your Little Brother,” Mother said softly, “your Little Brother to love and take care of all your life.  You will always remember that, won’t you?”

And Johnnie Jones always did.

* * * * *

Little Brother and Johnnie Jones

Little brother was a merry baby with a smile for everyone.  Soon he was old enough to be on the floor with Johnnie Jones, and to build houses of blocks, and play with the toys.  He learned to walk very early, when he was less than a year old.  Then indeed, he kept the family busy, guarding him from harm.

One day he found the sharp scissors, which Johnnie Jones had to take away very quickly before he could cut himself.  Another day he tried to eat a paper of pins, and Johnnie Jones had to run very fast to reach him in time.  That one baby kept Father and Mother, Johnnie Jones and Maggie, all busy, because he was too young to know that some things are dangerous for babies to have.

Sometimes, because he was too little to know any better, he objected to having the scissors, or knives, or cookies, taken away.  Then what do you suppose he would do?  He would run straight to Johnnie Jones and pull his hair!  He always seemed to feel happier after that.