IN MISCHIEF.

“Now then, don’t laugh!” said the smaller of the two

boys, as he knocked at the door. It was opened by a tidy

little maid, who stared at the slate and roll of papers

which the bigger boy carried, and asked the boys what
they wanted. ‘I believe,” said the smaller boy, “that this
house is to be let; and we wish to know if we can see it.”
The bigger boy looked down at the slate, so that the
maid should not see him laughing. “I suppose you want
to tell your Mother about the house,” said the maid.
“Well, no,” said the smaller boy solemnly; ‘“‘we wanted
to see it for ourselves.” The bigger boy looked up at
last. “May I ask what we shall have to pay for the
house?” he said. The maid seemed puzzled. “And for
bread-and-butter >” said the smaller boy. Then he
turned to his brother, and whispered, “Look!” <A lady

was watching them. “ Boys,” she said, “what ” But

 

both boys were away down the road before she finished

“her sentence. ‘Did you see who it was?” said -the

bigger boy. “Yes, what was she doing there?” said the
smaller boy. “I wonder if she'll tell?” said his brother.