THE CRAMERS OF CRAMERSVILLE. 35

loved robins. The worst boys I ever knew,
would spare the dear robin-red-breasts.”

At this moment Mrs. Cramer came towards
them with an open letter in her hand. She
was a lady, apparently, about thirty-five, with
a pleasant countenance and graceful air.

“Your Cousin Howard has arrived in New
York, my children, and I have already ordered
the carriage to go to the depot. We must
meet him in the city and bring him home with
us.”

George Cramer would have been delighted
to go to the city for any other purpose than to
meet his English cousin ;—that was not at
all in accordance with his present feelings.
Habitual respect for his mother, however,
prevented him from expressing his dislike
to the proposal. He snatched up his cap
from the ground and wreaked his displeasure
upon it, with two or three hearty thumps,
which effectually knocked the dust out of it;
and at the same time, betrayed to his mother
the exact state of his feelings.

She prudently refrained from making any