NOVELTIES. 49

when Lucy was not present. He laughed heartily
at her story, and then bade her call Lucy, saying
she must explain the word, as it was one he never
used. When Lucy came, he said to her, “My
daughter, your cousin says you told her thif
morning that Charles was making a mouse in the
parlour, and she wants to know what kind ot
mouse it was.”

Mr. Lovett spoke very seriously, but Lucy knew
there was a laugh under his grave looks, and, like
a, great many older and wiser people, Lucy could
not bear to be laughed at. Her face flushed with
anger, and she replied in a rude tone, “TI think
Cousin Mary had better learn to speak properly
herself before she laughs at me. I do not say,
‘Do don’t, and enty, and—’ ”’ she stopped abruptly,
for her father had seized her arm, and was looking
into her face with a sternness he seldom assumed
to his children. As Lucy ceased speaking and
hung her head, the sternness passed away from
Mr. Lovett’s face, and its expression became deeply
sorrowful as he said, ‘I was only disposed to
laugh, Lucy, at your incorrect language, but I can
scarcely forbear weeping at your improper temper.”

D