18 MADGE’S MISTAKE.

morning of the day fixed for the rose-show,
so, as the specimens are to be sent in that
very morning, they will not be seen again till
properly arranged at the gardens.

I have just completed all these arrange-
ments to my satisfaction, when I hear a loud
whooping and barking in the distance, and, in
another instant, up rushes Jack, surrounded
by a troop of dogs, which, as usual, have
flown from the stables on hearing his cheery
voice,

I give a sharp “ Hullo!” as he nears the
tree on which I am perched, and without
looking up, he says, “Oh! it’s you, is it?”
and throws himself down on the grass, while
all the dogs stand and bark hoarsely at me,
evidently under the impression that I have
secreted myself in the tree for some unlaw-
ful purpose. I pelt them with twigs, how-
ever, and after reprimanding them severely,
they all lie down beside Jack with their
tongues hanging out of their mouths.

“ Father in?” I ask briefly, as I commence
tearing a leaf into tiny bits.