36 .

CHAPTER III.
THE INSPECTION.

Luey’s plan, of having her mother and herself
remain at the General’s while her father went on
to finish his journey by himself, was adopted, to
her great joy.

Lucy stood under the elm-tree, and saw him
drive away, with great satisfaction, the next morn-
ing, soon after breakfast.

As soon as her father’s chaise was out of sight,
at a curve in the road, where some large trees
intercepted the view, Lucy turned round to go
into the house. Ellen was standing in the door.
Her brother, the boy who had held the horse the
evening before, was standing pretty near, and, as
he turned to go on towards the barn, he said to
Ellen, —

“ Ellen, is not this inspection day ?”

“Yes,” said Ellen, after hesitating a moment,
“T believe it is.”

“Excellent!” said the boy. ‘“ We shall have