40 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

that her mother would be very angry if she
knew, she checked herself and said instead:

“We won't go there, of course, mother; don’t
be afraid.”

“Tam not. I know I can trust my darlings
not to go anywhere mother wouldn’t like.”
And Mrs. Maine touched her cheek caressingly
as she passed her on her way to the kitchen.

Nellie felt’ greatly ashamed, but she could
not bring herself yet to tell that she did not
deserve so much love and trust. She liked go
well to have both given her, even if they were
not exactly her due.

Her father came in for his dinner, and she
was sent to call Harry to that meal. She went
first to the poultry yard, for the little boy and
the chickens were great friends. He knew
cach separate one by sight, and they all knew
and followed him about, or flew to his shoulder
when he called. :

But he was not there, and as there was no
answer to her call she ran indoors again, called
up the stairs, and looked into every room with-
out finding him. <A glance at the umbrella-
stand showed that his cap was gone from its
peg. He must be out-of-doors after all.