Seven Little Australians

for D

he days seem

s right and

our life ex

whatever to

been talking Pip has been grumbling at the lack of good things. The table was not very tempting, certainly; the cloth looked as if it had been flung on, the china was much chipped an

by her Christian name) "are having roast fowl, three vegetables

rs is saved as usual," said Meg, pouring out te

returned her brother witheringly. "Why shouldn

echoed little greedy Bu

all of us!" said Meg, cheerf

is nice thick bread and this abundance of melt

s chair back

look of determination in his eyes. "I can't forget the smell

, returning presently, to the surprise of eve

d. "Colonel Bryant is there; but he looked

magnanimous offer, and received a very small divi

"I've a great mind to go down and ask f

am afraid you will have noticed, al

ns. She followed into the dining-room at the heels of the housemai

nds with me? What is your name?" said Col

up with shy,

she said, holding out her left hand, si

ughed her father; but he gave her a quick,

plate. "I thought perhaps you would give me some fowl too,

eaning of this? Pip has just been to me, to

utter, very thick

sed a smile wi

ner, all of you,

rots and rice pudding,

a leg almost savagely

t know what has posse

the door, the

d some of Pip's, but Meg hasn't any," she said, with a bea

d off a wing in ominous silen

e any more of this nonsense, dear."

h uproarious applause in the nursery; Meg was delighted with h

tick in her fingers, "because I HOPE he hasn't gone too; someway I do

d done so, and returned

laughed, and Esther said we were very naughty-I got some f

and dropped the uninviting feat

r book. She always read at the table, and this partic

me, you greedy things!" retorted Bunty fi

dy and the old mischief light spr

gly; she knew too well what

dancing down the room and bestowing a pat on her sister's fair head a

e he had been sitting drumming on the table w

for to see, General," she sai

you going to do?" sa

almost out of Judy's arms, and scenti

five behind to watch proceedings. Ju

, pretty chuck-chuck?

he gurgled, looking all arou

ng her arms very wide to denote the number in

al delightedly, and struggling

g him a gentle push into the half

he baby tottered on fat

r?" said the Captain, as his youngest-son clutc

mpling face. "Well, General, and to what

d the General, going down promptly upon all fours to s

and bore him struggling out of the room. At the foot of

s!" she said, reaching out to box al

"To-morrow," she said, standing up and hastily smoothing the rich hair that the General's

disappear into the dining-room again, and returne