174 THE CHERRY-STONES.

been pressing so eagerly round him afew
minutes before. He felt no disposition to
join them. He put the key into his
pocket, and was slowly turning away,
when he was stopped by his brother
pulling at his sleeve.

“ Harry,” said the little fellow, “pray
look if there is not a letter for us in the
hamper? I want to know how papa and
mamma, and Constance, are; and the rab-
bits, and the red-cheeked apples in the
orchard. Do you know, I think papa
means to let me have a poney all to
myself these holidays, and perhaps the
letter may say something about it.”

Mertoun was much vexed with himself
as he heard Walter’s request. In the ex-
citement of unpacking the hamper, and
listening to his schoolfellows’ praises, he
had forgotten to look for a letter. Now,