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'Poor child!" he remarked to his sister, after she and Percy had left the room; "I'm afraid she has often felt very dull with us two elderly people and no youngster of her own age for a companion. Well, she will enjoy having her brother the more. Fine games they will be having, I expect."

"I hope and trust they won't be getting into mischief," sighed Miss Alicia, "breaking their bones, or falling into the lake, or something dreadful. I am afraid they will be very wild now they are together."

CHAPTER X.-PERCY'S HOLIDAYS.

HE next afternoon found the two children strolling about the grounds together, Mabel as happy as she could be now that she had her brother beside her; and many a merry peal of laughter fell upon the still air. It was a delightful day: the sky was clear and cloudless, whilst the air, soft and cool, tempered the heat of the sun's rays. The flowers were giving out their perfumes, and the birds their songs; whilst the breeze made music in the trees.

The children had wandered down towards the lake, and now stood on its margin. There it lay stretched before them, clear as crystal, reflecting all the lights and shadows cast upon it, a beautiful sheet of azure, broken up here and there by a tiny island of emerald hue, and bordered by the grand old mountains which rose up in some parts abruptly from its brink, sharp and bold in outline, with jutting crags and rocky crests, showing now and then great patches of purple heather, whilst in other parts the woods came right down to the water's edge, their varied tints of green contrasting with the blue depths of the lake, whilst they almost hid with their swelling foliage the contour of the hills they clothed. It was a lovely scene to gaze upon.

The brother and sister were standing near the little landing-place belonging to Heylands, beside which two boats were moored.

"How jolly it looks on the lake! It would be

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"Aunt Alicia. She seems to think I should be certain to be drowned if I ever got into one."

"Oh, never mind Aunt Alicia!" exclaimed Percy, not over respectfully. "She is full of whims and fancies, and seems to think we are made of glass and must necessarily be broken to bits if we go a step off the straight road. I don't know how many places she told me last evening I was to be sure and not go into-or how many things I was to be sure and not do. One can't attend to them all; in fact, I've forgotten one-half already; and I won't be turned into a milksop. So come along, Mabel." By this time the boy had seated himself in the boat.

"I can't," returned the child in tones that showed she was longing to follow her brother's example. "Why can't you?" he rejoined, imitating her dolorous accents. "You have nothing to do but to step in. Unless, indeed, you are like Aunt Alicia, and are afraid of being drowned."

"Of course I'm not afraid," said Mabel, rather indignantly, for to be thought a coward was a little trying. "But as Aunt Alicia has plainly said I am not to do it, I should be flatly disobeying her if I got into the boat. Let us do something else."

"Not I. If you are so mighty particular, and don't choose to come, I shall go without you. Come, make up your mind at once," said the boy a little impatiently. "Get in without any more shilly-shallying, or I shall be off without you."

"You must go without me then, if you will go," returned Mabel firmly, to her brother's surprise. "But I think you might be good-natured, Percy, and find something we could do together."

"It's far too jolly in the boat for me to get out again in a hurry," he answered carelessly; and pushing off from the shore he commenced rowing so vigorously that he was soon some distance off.

Mabel stood looking after him with wistful eyes. She longed to be with him; it must be so delightful, she thought, to be on the water; and now she didn't know what to do, as she had lost her companion, and, moreover, couldn't tell when he would come back.

She sat down on an old log lying near, and gazed disconsolately after the retreating boat. Obedience seemed very hard and difficult in this instance. But still she did not waver, though she knew that even now she had but to call out to

Percy to come back for her, and he would do so, for he was not too far off for a shout to reach him, and she was sure he would rather have her company than be alone. But she had recently suffered too much through disobedience and wilfulness to forget it easily. Besides, she had come to see how wrong it was, and had resolved not to transgress in that way again, and so bring misery and unhappiness upon herself.

So she remained sitting on her log, and refrained from calling to her brother, but watched his boat gradually getting farther and farther away, until it was almost out of sight. It was disappointing to lose Percy this very first afternoon, when she had promised herself such a happy time with him. But still there was the pleasant feeling of having done right. This disappointment was nothing like the misery of those three days when she had hardened herself in her pride and obstinacy, and had felt so wretched. Now, at least, no one would be displeased with her; she would not have to endure the mortification of feeling herself in disgrace and ashamed to face every one; and Percy would come back some time or other, when they could play together.

Her meditations were interrupted at this point by an approaching footstep. Looking up she saw that it was her uncle, who perceived her at the same

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Perhaps your aunt would have allowed you if you had asked her."

"No, I am sure it would have been no use. But I couldn't even ask her, as she is gone out driving."

"I suppose she only meant you weren't to go without some one to take care of you."

"Yes; some grown-up person, she said." "Do you think she would consider me grown-up enough?" asked Mr. Howard with a smile.

"Yes, I think so," laughed Mabel.

"Then suppose you and I get into this other boat, and then we will have a row together."

"Oh, Uncle Gwynne, that would be delightful ! Do you really mean it?"

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'Yes, certainly I do. Such a disconsolate little maiden, who moreover is disconsolate because she has been trying to do the right, deserves to find some one to take compassion on her. I tell you what we will do, Mab; we will row right across the lake to a place opposite, where we can find some rare mosses and ferns. I am wanting some more specimens to send away, and you might begin a little collection on your own account. You haven't learnt how to dry flowers yet, but I will show you. It would be a nice occupation for you and Percy if any wet days come during the holidays."

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Oh, thank you, uncle; how kind you are !" said Mabel, with beaming looks, as she glanced up gratefully into his face. Then, taking his hand, she went down with him to the boat and stepped in.

How delightful it was to glide over the smooth water, feeling the gentle breeze fanning her cheek, and gazing upon the beautiful mountains around, or looking over the side of the boat down into the depths beneath. She thought she had never felt so happy, and had but one regret, that Percy was not with them.

Mr. Howard himself was also conscious of a feeling of satisfaction as he glanced across at the radiant face of his little niece, and felt he had helped to bring the smiles back into it. He had lived so long shut up to himself and his books, that it was like a new existence to have a fresh living interest, to find he could put brightness into a young heart.

He felt himself in rather a novel position this afternoon. He, the grey-haired student and recluse, vigorously rowing underneath the hot blazing sun, and all for the sake of gratifying a child. But he by no means disliked his position. His little companion's delight and enthusiasm were helping to make him feel young again. Miss Alicia would have been rather surprised could she have looked upon them-could she have seen the two, after they had landed on the opposite shore of the lake, eagerly searching for ferns and gathering spoil, both entirely happy, and wholly engrossed with their present occupation, the uncle quite as much so as the niece.

After placing all they had collected in the boat, they had a delightful row back, encountering Percy, who was coasting round the shore; and he was much surprised to see them on the water.

"Hullo! you young sir; what do you mean by taking my boat in this cool manner, without asking permission?" shouted Mr. Howard, as they drew near. Is that the way gentlemen generally behave to one another? Perhaps you'll explain matters.”

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Percy laughed, but looked a little discomfited. "I thought you wouldn't mind, uncle."

"Perhaps I mightn't have minded your taking the boat, but what I do mind is your having gone off and left your sister as you did. It was scarcely kind, was it, this first day of your being here, when she has been reckoning so on your coming, and on having you for a companion?"

"I asked her to come with me, uncle. I wanted her to come, but she wouldn't."

"Because she felt it would be disobedience, that was why she refused. Under those circumstances, don't you think you would have acted a more unselfish part if you had remained with her, and given up your own fancy instead of only caring about gratifying it?"

"I didn't think of it like that," said Percy, a little abashed.

"Ah, my boy, that is what so often leads us into selfishness, want of thought. But come, we will land now, for it must be getting near your tea-time.”

"I hope it is, for I'm as hungry as a hunter," rejoined Percy, as he fastened his boat to its moorings. "What a jolly place this is, Uncle Gwynne. It's very pretty, and there are such lots of things to do here. For one thing, I long to climb some of those old mountains and stand on the very top."

"We must see if we can't make a few ascents together whilst you are here," said Mr. Howard. "It is some time now since I have climbed any of them, but I used to know them all well, and I think I am able to act as guide. I shall quite like revisiting the old haunts."

"May I go too?" asked Mabel with a pleading face.

Certainly, my dear, if you can walk so far. We should like to have our little Queen Mab with us." "That will be delightful," exclaimed the child, with a skip and a jump expressive of intense satisfaction. "I should enjoy a scramble up a mountain above all things. Do fix a day soon, uncle."

With a smile at her eagerness and delight, Mr. Howard promised to consider the matter, and in glee at the prospect the children went in to tea.

Mr. Howard thought it but due to Mabel to tell her aunt how firmly she had resisted what had been a strong temptation to disobedience. Miss Alicia was so much pleased to hear that the child had shown herself so trustworthy, that she signified her approbation by a few words of praise to Mabel herself when she came into the drawing-room that evening. It was the first time the latter had received any such commendation, and very pleasant she felt it to be.

“After all, it is much happier just to do the right thing; at any rate, it is happier afterwards, though it may be hard at the time," she said to herself,

and then she sat down to have a game of draughts with Percy.

The evening went so fast that when bed-time came she was very unwilling to go, especially as Percy, being older, was to be allowed to remain for another hour at least.

"Mayn't I stay a little bit longer, Aunt Alicia? Just while Percy is at home?" she picaded.

"No, my dear. I see no reason why the usual hours should be broken through. For it is not good for little girls to be kept up late. And you will have plenty of Percy's company during all the long holidays. So say good-night and go."

A struggle took place in the child's mind. Again it seemed difficult to obey, and she felt inclined to resist her aunt's decree.

However, she remembered herself in time, before she had given way to any hasty words, and checking the rising wish to rebel, she prepared to say good-night all round. She was just about to leave the room, when Miss Alicia said, “ After all, I don't mind your staying another half-hour, Mabel; especially as you have behaved so well about it. But I don't know that I can let it be so all the time

Percy is here. We shall see. If you get to look pale we must go back to the old hour."

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"Oh, I won't look pale," promptly returned Mabel. "Thank you so much, Aunt Alicia. did so want to finish this game. And we won't make a noise over it to disturb you."

"What did Aunt Alicia want you for?" asked Percy of his sister the next day, as she re-entered the schoolroom, where the two children had been engaged in looking over Mabel's treasures during the first hour after luncheon, when Miss Howard considered it too hot for them to be out of doors. "It was to tell me that Mademoiselle has asked us to come to tea with her this afternoon." The boy made a sort of grimace, not altogether expressive of approval. "Won't that be rather slow?" he remarked.

"Oh, no, it will be fun. Because, you know, she lives in the town, and it is always nice to go in there and see the shops. And she can tell us stories about French life. And then I have heard so much about the little home she is hoping to make some day, and all the things she is getting together for it, I should like to ask her to show them to us."

"Is she going to live in the little home' all by herself?"

"No; she has one sister, a good many years younger than herself, and she is working and toiling to make a home for her, so that they might live together. The sister is French governess in some school now, and she is not at all comfortable."

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believe she goes and looks over nearly every house that is built to see if it

is likely to do for her when she is ready to set up in a house of her own. However, she doesn't expect to be able to do that for a long time, so she gets very much laughed at about it. I hope she will soon get her wish, though, because she is not young, and if she doesn't

"Not if I'm to be put in charge of Mrs. Cobbold. I wonder what Aunt Alicia is thinking of! As if I wasn't old enough to take care of myself! I shall go off and remonstrate."

"Well, have you been successful?" inquired Mabel on his return.

"Yes, Aunt Alicia agrees to let us go without Mrs. Cobbold. She puts you in my charge-what do you say to that?--and gave me such a lot of injunctions as to what we are to do and what not to do, that I shall be

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make haste they won't have so very long to be together at least, judging by her looks."

"What time are we to go?"

"We are to leave here at four o'clock, and nurse is to come for us at seven."

clever if I re

member them all."

Having arrived at the abode of Mademoiselle Chassereau without any accident, Mabel lost no time in begging

the former to show to them some of the things she had been making for her new house.

"Certainly, if you like, my dear; I shall be very happy to display them. There is something of all sorts, useful as well as ornamental."

And Mademoiselle, who dearly liked doing so, ex

hibited her little possessions, in all of which Mabel was much interested, whilst Percy meantime was engaged in munching some French chocolate.

By this time tea was ready, and they sat down to the table. Percy's boyish appetite speedily made considerable inroads into the provisions set before them, so that Mabel was afraid the plates would soon be entirely cleared. However, Percy brought his meal to a conclusion before everything placed before them had entirely vanished, much to Mabel's relief. (To be continued.)

"Oh, come, I say, I'm not going to stand being fetched by Mrs. Cobbold, as if I were an infant in leading-strings. I won't go if that is to be the condition."

"Oh, Percy, you must come; you must indeed."

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ES, here I come with a wondrous pack Of little ones upon my back. Some are full grown, and some but half; My family surely will make you laugh: Croaker, Hopper, and little Wheezer As like each other as two peas are. On my back I have nursed them all Such a number, great and small; First as eggs, as babies next.

Such trouble! such trouble, I might be vexed
If I were a cruel parent and nurse;

But, dear little folk, I am quite the reverse:
Nurse more tender, mother kinder
Seek, I pray, until you find her.

Ah! you are looking with great surprise
Upon my monstrous goggle eyes.
Fierce enough I look, but you see
That all my family are with me;
All my children, and for their sake
Every precaution I must take,

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Lest they starve, or I should lose them;
For, although you might not choose them,
They to me are very dear,
Very handsome. No, not queer;
Queer to you, but in my sight
They are everything that's right.

Their wide mouths, so like my own,

Glittering eyes like diamond stone,
Shining skins, and croaking voices;
Ah! a mother's heart rejoices
When she has a brood so fine,

Such a family as mine.

With my little ones around me

Those who've looked for me have found me

By the marshes, by the river,

Where the glowing sun-rays quiver
'Neath a sky of warmer dyes
Than is seen by English eyes.
Yes, the mother proud I am

By Dutchmen found in Surinam.

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