66 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

on the flowers, which are quivering and
shaking by my side, says, “I should think
it’s for me to ask that question; pray for
whom are those flowers intended? They
look uncommonly like some of Father's.”

This news raises my spirits, and feeling
certain that it will be best to take Jack into
my confidence, I as usual dash into the sub-
ject at once, and commence with, ‘ Look
here, Jack, I’ve got into an awful scrape, at
least I should have if any one knew—but—
but I think I shall get on all right if you
won't tell?”

“Well,” answers Jack, “of course I can’t
promise, you know; but let’s hear what it is
and we'll see.”

Whereupon I tell him the whole history
without reserve, and then proceed to question
Jack as to his mornine’s work, as to the law-
fulness of which I have some doubts. Also
I do not see why I should be “confessing” to
him, when in all probability he has been up
to far more mischief than I have, which is
soon proved to be the case.