ction;" he hated kissing and fondling. He liked to treat even his nearest and dearest with ceremony, but he was a perfect host-the little attentions, the

m her father. Nan had never yet shown reserve to anyone. As far as any creature could be said to be without false pride, Nan was that individual-she was also absolutely devoid of fear. She believed that all the world loved her. Wh

ere in his heart he had a certain fatherly admiration for her, but if so it did not show its

ut she was undoubtedly very pretty-she had winning ways and bright glances. Her little speeches were full of wit an

ry travellers, she found her father and Annie talking pleasantly to one another

, slipping his arm round his younger daughter's

noted with satisfaction the wrinkles on his brow, the crows' feet at the corner of each ey

n a contemplative voice. "I'm

est wrinkle affectio

ered old, and an angry wave of

y you rejoice in the fact of my possessing the infirmities of years; but I wish to repeat to you a proverb which I hope you will

hold of Nan's broad wa

flat," he said, "but we have some pr

he fact is, I never was on horseback since I was five

are here. By the way, Hester, Squire Lorrimer called to-day. I said you would go to the Towers to-morrow morning-

me, please, father, if the dormouse has awakened yet? It was fast asleep when I was home at Christmas, and Boris said it mightn't wake again until May. Boris was so sorry it w

xed a cold

aid-"disgusting little beasts," he added, turning for sympathy to

ats? Boris had four in a box when I went last to the Towers, and Kitty had one all to herself, and Boris and Kitty were always fighting as

ll you induce Nan to hold her ton

thing to Nan, who shrugged her shoulde

t obey it, its no use trying. Father, do you hear? I can't be

pper, shall we go into the drawing

her hand through her sister's arm

urst," she exclaimed. "Why is father

deal. Why do you talk in that silly

answered the chil

rest little girl in the world, and though it is delicious to have you back"-here there came an ecstatic hug-"you need not sa

back to her eyes. "Oh, but I really said what I meant, then-it was not mischief.

mean, you quee

e won't be attractive,

ar of

he'd be having a wife, an

ing for nurse to say. I am quite surprised at her. As far as I can

rse says that you wouldn't be mi

n, half of suppressed longing, fill

world," she said, "and

't you ha

duty first. Now, Nan, let us forget what is not likely to happen. It is nearly time for you to go to bed; you look qu

u quo. I am in the middle school now, and perhaps I shall get a drawing-

; it's a pity not to

I don't want you t

ght you were so fond of Mrs. Willis. I th

to ask Annie Forest a lot of questions about me. I can't help having a romping time now and then at school; and there are two new girls-Polly and Milly Jenkins; they are so killingly funny; near

t-hearted to the end of the

ty when she was my

not naug

am sixteen. Now, good-night, H

es

out for a fine waking

ough-and-ready manner, and dance

-legs wouldn't

left leg and thro

r voice was loud and somewhat piercing. He heard it in t

ere are moments when I feel extremely uneasy w

, she is quite the dearest little thing in the world. I wish you could

t it does not follow that school pets are home pets. If my good friend, Mrs. Willis, f

fresh, so charming, was fixed in

at all?" she asked

had considered her a very pretty, agreeable little girl, who would be an acquisiti

er a pause, "and I presume that I show it best by havi

it like you, Sir John. I don't mean to compare him to you for a moment. He is quite a rough sort of man, and he has led a rough life; but, oh dear me, from the time he came back from Australia, and I knew that I had a living father, I cannot tell you what a difference there has been in my life. I have generally spent my holidays with him, and he ha

silence for nearly half a minute then Sir John rose from his chair,

young visitor, "you will be interested in books on that country. I have got all Henry Ki

he room, and Annie had to own t