o reach the fruits on the higher branches by tiptoeing on a tree branch but failing, scratching her head in frustration, he couldn''t help but walk over and say, "I should be able to reach it. Let me help you, Mademoiselle Edith."
Raphael''s heart pounded as he climbed the tree. He didn''t want to show fear. He wanted to be a man in front of the little girls.
However, as he stood straight on the narrow branch and saw how high he was from the ground, he couldn''t help but swallow nervously.
"Be careful, brother!" Charlene shouted from below the tree.
As Raphael stretched his arm and tried hard to reach the fruit, he felt a bit unstable and involuntarily closed his eyes.
But when he finally grabbed the fruit in his palm, he proudly smiled and his nervousness was gone all at once.
"Catch!" he triumphantly called out to the girl below.
Edith jumped up with joy. She lifted her skirt with both hands and caught the fruits that Raphael tossed down one by one, cheering non-stop.
When Raphael jumped down from the tree, he noticed that his coat and shoes were covered in dirt. He tried to pat them with his hands, but the marks were still visible.
He fretted and muttered to himself, "I have to clean it myself. If Father sees it, I''ll surely be punished."
"Nevermind, we go to the creek later. Just wash it off with the stream water," Edith casually said to him.
Raphael pushed Charlene''s wheelchair and