148 Lom Seven Years Old.

home with it just as it was; but he hoped he
might slip upstairs without meeting anybody,
and then he could wash it with clean water,
and rub it with his sponge.

“ Let’s go in by the back gate,” said he.

He thought they would be less likely to
meet anybody if they went that way.

“But that’s a long walk round,” said
Archie, dolefully. “Why should we? Well
get in much sooner by the front.”

“Well, go then!” said Tom. He was
feeling crosser and crosser ever since he
had tasted that nasty berry. “I shouldn't
wonder,” he thought, “if I were poisoned.
Mamma said they were poisonous, now I
remember, and I didn’t believe her. Things
shouldn't look so pretty outside and be so
horrid inside.”

Archie followed Tom in at the back gate,
even though he was tired. He was good-
natured enough not to say anything more,
because he saw Tom was cross. They
reached the garden steps without. meeting
anybody. ‘om thought he was going to be