20 LUCY AMONG THE -MOUNTAINS.

exactly make a practice of it; but, then, he’s very
glad to see them when they come.”

‘‘ And he makes a regular charge for it, doe
he?” :

“O yes,” said the man ; “ you needn’t be con-
cerned about that; he’s very reasonable in his
charges.”

“ Well, sir, I’m very much obliged to you,”
said Lucy’s father; and he immediately began to
whip up his horse, as if he was in a hurry to go
along. At the same time, he turned his face
away from the man towards Lucy, and seemed to
be trying to keep from laughing. Something ap-
peared to amuse him very much ; so much, in fact,
that it seemed to be quite difficult for him to keep
sober until he got by the man.

“What are you laughing at, father?” said
Lucy.

Her father did not answer, but only laughed
the more.

“Father,” repeated Lucy, earnestly, “what
are you laughing at? Iam sure I don’t think we
ought to laugh at that man for telling us about
our way.”

“No,” replied her father ; “I was not laughing
at the man, but only at the queer mistake he
made.”