imers had lived there from father to son for several hundreds of years. Like many ancient families, their wealth had diminished rather than increased with the times. The luxurious living,

igorous family, and, at the time when this story opens, the

was certain that it would kill him. He trusted to be able to avert this calamity by putting down expenses in all possible ways. There were to

o a good grammar school in the neighbourhood; the girls and Boris had a governess who taught them at home. Neither boys nor girls were educated quite up to the requirements of the times, but the father and mother were not going to worry themselves over this fact. Mr. Lorrimer had very strong views with regard to modern education. He had a hearty preference for big bodies instead of big brains

py man. The girls are all pretty, unless we except poor little Elinor, and she, in some ways, has the sweetest face of the bunch; they are sure to find h

iest family in the world, and the children are the dearest creatures. With all their high spirits they are never really naughty. I have only one care," sh

t hasn't come ye

t mortgage and

through-we'll pull through, no fear. By the way, my dear, I had a splendid offer yesterday for the colts Joe and Robi

to the window of the room where the two

s. Lorrimer stood and looked out, a girl was seen to enter the paddock and go swiftly up to the colts, calling their names as she did so. They both came to her immediately. She threw an arm round the neck of one, while she fed

ch pets of them. I never saw her take to any creatures before as she has done to those t

ounds for the two. Of course, the creatures are thoroughbred, and may turn out worth a great deal more; still, in these days no one gives a fa

done rubbing their noses against her face and shoulder, she looked eagerly round her, and saw with satisfaction that there was no one watching her from any of the many windows which blinked like eyes all over the old house. She now approached one of the colt

you'll take me round the paddock three times, won't you, as swift as the wind, and then it will be Joe's turn? As swift

til Nell gave the signal, but when it came there was no doubt that he would fly swiftly over the ground. Joe, the other colt, stood near expectantly. His turn was to come, he knew. For him, too, there would be the light wei

bolt upright, "now, Robi

l's short skirts puffed out by the wind, Nell's cheeks with red fl

ost delirious of all. Nell was so sure of her seat, so confident in Robin's powers, that she no longer

urrah!" sh

ddock was pushed open, and Kitty, aged nine, followed by Boris, who was only seven, rushed on

Nell!" excl

That fellow there has come"-waving his hand with immense dignity in the direc

elieve it,

stock still when she told him. She dropped

old?" she asked. "I

ke, a pang of keen pain had shot through it;

. "I'll go and find father and ask h

field," said Boris. "Yes, it's t

for the colts, I suppose? Here they are, as--Why, what's the matter, Nell? How white you are, child

sold Robin an

rembling hands soothingly. He looked hard into her quiveri

se heard

he let her hands fall to her si

e paddock. Robin expected his russet apple-Jo

id her father. "'Pon my word, I w

dear; of c

s and Kitty came close; the grooms and the horse-dealer also

bin his apple?" she asked. "He

uire n

e said; then he turne

eatures," he said. "I hope you will

hed his hat

ner of hurry, and perhaps little miss would like to have another canter. I neve

er. "Would you like another canter? I d

no tears in her eyes, although there were black shadows un

e came close to Nell and rubbed

did not think that he had earned a morsel, and then,

ran af

like a white rat? I have four, and I-I'll give yo

unburnt face. Boris had bright eyes, as round as two moons. The giving up of one of h

ht forget to feed the rat, and I don't think I ever

s most polite tone; he was immensely

e house, and Boris turned to

ut she wouldn't have it. Do you th

a right good cry perhaps she'll be better, but if she hasn't a cry, she'll fret awfully, and perhaps she'll turn sulky;

at can it matter in a big world like this, crowded up with boys and girls and men and women,

walk over the heads of the other boys, if I were you, and to take their prizes from them, and to have father and mother looking on, and a lot of grand ladies and gentlemen all

and gentlemen care whether boys and girls spell words right or not, a

can't possibly tell. You ask Nan Thornton, and she'll soon tell you what's done at school. Oh dear

y dis'pectful

, I am glad you didn't