8 CAROLINE.

Phonny and Malleville set out to go home. They meet Caroline.

 

and very strong, and Malleville knew at once that it was
intended for her box. So she wrapped it up again in
the paper and put it back in the box, saying, that she
meant to go home and show it to her aunt. She rose
from her seat, and taking her box under her arm, she
went into the road. Phonny followed her. He put his
court-plaster and bandage into his pocket, but he kept the
knife in his hands,—opening and shutting the blades, and
examining it carefully in every part, as he walked along.

“Tt is the very best knife I ever had,” said he.

Phonny and Maleville walked along toward the house,
very much pleased with their presents, and both im-
patient to show them to Mrs. Henry. Presently, Malle-
ville saw a girl coming into view in the road, at a con-
siderable distance before them.

“There comes somebody,” said she. “I wish it was
Mary Bell.”

“Tt is Mary Bell,” said Phonny, “I verily believe.”

“ No,” said Malleville, “it is Caroline Keep. I can
see the feather in her bonnet.”

Caroline had a very pretty blue bonnet, with a white
feather hanging over it gracefully, like a plume.

In a short time the three children came together.

“ Caroline,” said Phonny, “we have got some presents
from Beechnut ; come and see them.”

So the children walked out to the side of the road, and
sat down upon the green bank to look at the presents.

«“ Where is Beechnut ?” said Caroline.

“He has gone away,” said Phonny. “He has been
gone several days, and he is going to be gone nearly a
week longer.”

“ How sorry I am!” said Caroline.