THE NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES. 59

a quick, excited movement, as if I were on the eve of
a rescue.. My heart beat violently, The nutting-fields
never seemed so charming—the excursion never ap-
peared so interesting, now that I was just about to lose
it—now that my going depended upon what some
would call mere good luck.

Alas! Mr. Merry never condescended to utter a
syllable! Squire Hall. did not make his appearance at
the door; nor did the boys return | .

By-and-bye the sound of waggon-wheels, with merry |
shouts, broke upon the still morning air. One—two
—three—four waggons went by! I counted them all !
I heard the cracking of their whips, and the voices of
their drivers—five—six! I mounted the wood-pile and
beheld ,them. There they went! gallop! trot! speed
away! full of animation and joyful anticipation! and I
—I was actually left behind! |

‘Nothing happened to relieve me from my. duties. |
‘Tears of bitter disappointment rushed to my eyes and
blinded the sight of the distant waggons. I jumped.

down and made the best of my way into the great barn,