52 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

provocation, commences slipping on the
boards. I am too late to stop it, so shut the
door hurriedly, and with agony of mind I
hear it go whack on to the floor.

Down-stairs I rush and undo the bolts of
the door: directly I get on to the steps my
spirits rise, however, for I fecl that no one
will dream of looking for me out of doors at
that time of the morning.

The morning is simply lovely, and each
soft breath of wind comes up laden with the
scent of new-mown hay from the fields where
it is lying waiting to be carted away.

The birds, too, were surely never so happy
and joyous as they are this morning, for the
whole garden and the woods beyond resound
with their thrilling notes.

On arriving at the stable I find Simmons,
faithful to his promise, standing by the pony-
carriage, which is all ready.

Directly he sees me he goes back into one
_of the stalls and re-appears with a glass of
milk and a large slice of bread and butter.

“T thought maybe you'd start off without