28 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

acted as bailiff to a gentleman-farmer in a
part of the county at a distance from Milbury.

“I can’t quite understand it even yet,” said
Mrs. Maine slowly. “TI thought Harry was so
obedient. You always say that you can. do
anything with him, Nellie, and that he does
what you tell him directly. Why didn’t you
stop him? You must have known you ought
not to go on the ice unless father had said it
was safe.”

Nellie said nothing, but hung her head, while
a few more tears fell. She knew quite well
that she alone was to blame.

“Don’t be cross with Nellie,” said Harry in
his small voice, that sounded weaker than
usual. “She did tell me not to go, over and
over, but I would. It was all my fault.”

Mr. Maine pressed his little girl to him and
kissed her cheek.

“There, there! don’t ery any more, old lady.
Quite right not to want to get your brother
into trouble; but I see how it was, and,” he
whispered in her ear, “I shall give Master
Harry a good talking to when he’s quite him-
self again.”

Nellie opened her lips to say, “Oh, please