to table with at all her usual appetite. Maggie always breakfasted with her father and mother. She also had her early dinner at their lunch, but her own lunch and tea she took i

ed little Maggie. Maggie felt afraid to raise her eyes from her plate. When her mother noticed her fatigue and languor, sh

e middle of the night! She got

ittle princess' fault, and, in consequence, her versatile spirits had gone down to zero. With all her faults-and she had plenty-Maggie was far too honest a child to think of concealing what she had done from her cousin. She meant to tell him, but she had dreaded very mu

to his wife. "I think we must give her a holiday. Miss Grey, you won't object to a

e after breakfast and seeing to the accommodation of the rabbits and pigeons?

lied the good-natured uncle. "Hullo, little ma

said Maggie, and before her father could

d into the empty home; and just at this moment voices were heard approaching, the clear high voice of her boy cousin, accompanied by Sir John's deeper tones. Maggie had nothing for it but to hide, and the nearest and safest way for her to accomplish this feat was to climb into a large tree which partly over-shaded the rabbit-hutch. Maggie could climb like any little squirrel, and Sir John and Ralph took no notice of a rustling in the boughs as they approached. Her heart beat fast; she crouched down in the green leafy foliage, and hoped and trusted they would not look up. There was certainly no chance of their doing that. When Ralph discovered that his pets were gone, he gave vent to something

tion him, and if I think the young rascal is telling me a lie, he shall go-yes, he shall go. I won't be humbugged. And Ralph, poor lad! It's a disgra

, father, stand close under the tree, and don't let Ralph see us. I'm coming down as ha

a loving embrace. "My darling, you are not well. You

Ralph to hear. I heard you say that perhaps Jim did it, and you'd send him

g-Mag, what

he hutch to please Ralph, and I ran round to the hay-rick for some fresh hay, and when I came back Bianco and Lily were gone. I spent all the time before breakfast looking for them, but I couldn't see

le maid, you really need not be frightened. I'll undertake to break the ti

ne to open my hutch door? I expect some thief came and stole them. I suppose you are a magistrate, Uncle John; I hope you are, and that you'll have a warrant issued immediately,

his hand on Ra

, and let them out in order that they might enjoy their meal the better. Then it occurred to her to get some fresh hay for the hutch, and while she was away Bianco and Lily took it int

peaking Ralph's face

e said. "It was poor little Jo gave me Bianco and Lily, an

of men to search for them directly. In the mean time, you must pro

ffs; Jo isn't, but then she's not like other people

ggie would have been taken back into Ralph's favor, but just then, on the afternoon of that

only sister-it was necessary that she and Sir John should start that very night for

r, of course," pr

for a fortnight or so, and Miss Grey could go with you, so that your mother need have no extra trouble. Remember, Ralph

said Ralph. "Oh! Maggie," he exclaimed suddenly, in all his

" said Sir John; "the children and Miss Grey can start to

off his telegram, and in the course of the afternoon his sister, Mrs. Grenville, replied to it. She would be ready to receive Ralph and Maggie the next day, and wo

t will really be very nice for you. You are young, you know, Maggie, and you'll have to go to the places where quite the little childre

ther to work on her feelings, describing graphically the scene at the Zoo when the lions are fed, the cruel glitter in the

how strong a lion is; and though the cages are made with very lar

moment, for she did not wish Ralph to suppose that she

ith Miss Grey in the hours when the lions are fed. I know it's very good of m

ngs, being sorry doesn't mend matters. You ask mother, and she'll explain to you. But please don't say anything more about Bianco and Lily. I want to know

ie n

to please poor Miss Grey too

like to be out amusing herself in the afternoon. I call that more thoughtlessness. You'll have to

Grey wants to be out in the afternoon, I'll go to Madame Tussaud's then. I don't like that

mouth because you don't know whether the wax figures are alive or not; and you are always saying, 'I beg your pardon;' and you are always knocking up against people whom you think are alive and want to speak to you, when th

of the room, beginning seriously to debate in her poor little mind on the joys of