MRS. DISCIPLINE’S COTTAGE. 149

or three large blacking-brushes, and a platter with some blacking
on it. .

“ Are you getting on with your work?” shouted Mrs. Discipline,
“or shall I come into the scullery and show you the way?”

“T am getting on splendidly,” called out Buttercup in quite a
lively tone. He seized one of the boots, and began to scrape the mud
and snow from it. He felt absolutely cheerful as he set to work; the
small boy in the cupboard watched him with twinkling but envious
eyes.