THE GRAVE ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE, 49

the prize is within your grasp. Why,
you can all but reach the cherries from
your present resting-place. “No, no,”
said he, yielding to these thoughts, “it
would be cowardly, indeed, to give it up
now ;” so, with a parting admonition to
Juno to remain quiet, he descended swiftly
and noiselessly into the orchard, and stood,
for the second time, at the foot of the
cherry-tree.

But he had reckoned too far on Juno's
obedience. So long as Harry continued
in-sight, she considered that she had some
security that he was not going to balk
her of her expected frolic ; but, no sooner
had the boy disappeared, than she began
a series of whines, each rising louder
than the last, accompanied by an occa-
sional short, sharp bark.. Mertoun saw that
no time must be lost: in returning, lest: the

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