LAST AND WORST. | 79

The day was always anticipated by the pupils of the
school with great pleasure, but those who were at this
time determined to attend the circus were so engrossed
in that, that they did not regard it with their usual
interest. Good Nurse Burton had been several days at
the school assisting and directing in the preparations
for the fete. |

The long-expected Wednesday at last arrived. The
day was fine. The grass on the lawn had been recently
mowed, and was soft as velvet beneath the feet. The
air was fragrant with flowers and new hay; and the
table, most tastefully decorated with flowers, was pro-
fusely covered with ices, confectionery, and fine fruit.
The boys readily obtained permission from Mr. Harding
to pass an hour or two in the woods before the time
appointed for the fete; and, according to their previous
plan, as soon as they were out of sight of the house,
they turned into the road leading to the village, and
rapidly pursued their way thither.

Now, it happened that some indispensable article for
the entertainment was forgotten, and none of the at-
tendants being at leisure to ride to the village, Mr.
Harding mounted his horse in haste, and proceeded
thither to execute the commission. He was detained
longer than he expected, and it was but a moment or
two before four o’clock, when he turned his face home-
ward. He happened to be passing the circus-ground
just as the people were leaving it, and reined up his