The Merryweathers

k to you a moment

he race. "Certainly, May Margaret!" she said. "Do you want to know why my poor boatie did not win?

"Come this way, under the trees, where it

terrible to say anything that may make trouble, but nothing makes so much trouble as untrut

she came in well ah

et told in a few words the

rgaret had finished, whistled two bars of the

rgaret, do you know, the best thing to do, in my

Gerald re

orrow without an open quarrel breaking out. You see, Margaret, when they were little, it was all right for Jerry to thrash him. He d

d ever any one manage to make so much trouble

her, you forgive a great deal. She is very fond of my father, and is always hoping that he may be able to influence Claud, and to appr

slowly, "I am to say no

e is 'a time to speak and a time to be silent.' This is a time to be silent, I am very sure; if we were to tell the boys now, it would be a match thrown into a powder-magazine. To-morrow, when Claud is safely off to h

see clearly; I have never been so angry in my life. As you say, I suppose it is be

eely, and it was with a mind comparatively at rest that Mr. Merryweather strolled down to the float after dinner, to inspect a boat which had been hauled up for rep

"and then give her a couple of coats of shella

, Pater!"

excellent thing in its place, but I don't like it on the seat of my chair, where I found it this morning, nor sprin

cushion at Fergs, and it upset the can. I scraped up as much as I could;

lied, defending certain kinds for certain purposes; the others chimed in, and a heated discussion was going on, when Claud Belleville joined the party. In

ade way for the newcomer at the edge of the wharf, where, for some unexplained reason, men always like to stand.

come to us at Bar Harbor before the end of the summer. I gave my wo

mother and I. Give her my love, and tell her that some time when she is in New York I shall run on

ait in bog-trotting of every description; in fact, suited to the life-in all its aspects." He swept Gerald with a co

bor. You live too much the life of the fields. Mamma is constantly deploring it. We will show you a little life, Mamma and I. I will pu

wo hands were laid on his shoulders; hands which gripped like steel, and propelled him forward with irresistible fo

his father with a

e patronized you I should duck him!" he said. "He h

lish and ill-tempered child. I am fully able to take care of myself. W

sir! I intende

eville. Up he came presently, splashing and sputtering, his eyes flashing angry sparks. Phil held out a hand; a vigorous pull, a scramble, and he

tering teeth. "It serves me right for expecting civilized manners in the backwoods. This no doubt appears to you an exquisite pleasantry, and its delicacy will

y!" Gerald broke in. "I s

nce and attend to the fir

the

epeated Mr.

ld w

lothes. His own will be dry before the wagon comes

yweather turned to Jack Ferrers, who had remained an a

more's the pity, and the other has red hair. Well! well! I did hope this could have been avoided; bu

st, sir!" said

ding this moment, to see about that freight that is comin

"I'll make a good try for it

ether, if you put your mind-and your biceps-to it; but I hope that will no

mself in a boat, departed w

ook his curly head,

. That fellow is not only a puppy, he is a cur. I never saw anybody who needed a thra

his glory, reappeared upon the scene. As he came out of his tent, Gera

rd with you, if you

wo, if you lik

r. Belleville resumed, "when

to turn back his cuffs. "Hooray! I say, shake hands, Claud. I didn't think

f bodily. Gerald, who was strong and agile as a young panther, fought and struggled, pouring out a torrent of angry protest; but in vain. When Jack put forth his full strength, there was no possibility of resistance. He bore the furious lad to his tent, and throwing him on the cot, deliberate

ood-by, Claud!" "Our love to your mother!" in various tones and modulations; then the sound of wheels once more

rry, old ma

was s

not going to

to say," said

ers forbid. We will change

n if I have to fight you, but I don't believe I shall. You see, your father had to go off, and he asked me to keep the peace, and I said I would; and I

and his voice taking on its own kindly ring. "Fine man; but the extent to which he won't l

um sitting on the man

ere's the horn! Come on, and let that flint

r, arm in arm, singing, to th

ud, sweet,

no ass l

no ass li

y silenced by Mr