CARROTS IN TROUBLE. 63:

Nurse looked at him with some surprise; it.
was seldom the little boy so excited himself.
“ Master Mott won't hurt your drawer, my
dear,” she said; “you don’t mind his having
your paint-box, I’m sure. But do let him get
it out himself, if he wants, Master Maurice ;.

’

there’s a dear boy,” she continued ; for Maurice
was by this time ferreting in Floss’s drawer
with great gusto, and in another moment would.
have been at Carrots’s. But Carrots was at it.
before him. He pulled it open as far as he
could; for in consequence of Mott's investi-
gations in the upper story, he could not easily
penetrate to his own quarters. But he knew
exactly where the paint-box lay, and managed

_ to slip it out without Maurice’s noticing what.

he was doing. His triumph was short-livel,
however ; before he could open the box, Mott.

was after him.

«Hi, you young sneak!” he cried; “what
are you after now? Giveme the box. I believe:
you want to take the best paints out before
you lend it to me;” and he wrenched the paint-
box out of his little brother’s hands.