f
barns and stacks, with greater reason--declared he smelt a smell which
he never tolerated in his house, and asked his boys if they had any
about them. They denied it, but it was evident they knew something of
the matter; and now Emilie's concern was very great.

After tea she took John by the arm, and looking into his face, said, "I
am going to be very intrusive, Sir; I am not your governess, and I have
no right to control you, but I wish to be your friend, and may I advise
you? Don't take those fire-works out on Mr. Crosse's premises, you have
no idea the mischief you might do. You could not have brought them to a
worse place. Be persuaded, pray do, to give it up." John, thus appealed
to, laughed heartily at Miss Schomberg's fears, said something not very
complimentary about Miss S. speaking one word for the farmer's stack,
and two for her own nerves, and made his escape to join his brother, and
the two young farmers, who were delighted at the prospect of a frolic.

What was to be done? The lads were gone out, and doubtless would send up
their rockets and let off their squibs somewhere on the farm, which was
a very extensive one. The very idea of fire-works would put aunt Agnes
into a terrible state of alarm, so Emilie held her peace. To tell the
farmer would, she knew, irritate him fearfully; and yet no time was to
be lost. She was older than any of the party, and it was in reliance on
her discretion that the visit had been permitted. She appealed to Edith,
but Edith, who either had a little fancy to see the fire-works, or, who
feared her brothers' ridicule, or who thought Emilie took too much upon
herself, gave her no help in the matter.

"Well, Edith," said Emilie, when the farmer's wife left the room to make
some preparation for a sumptuous supper, "I have made up my mind what to
do. I will not stay here if your brothers are to run any foolish risks
with those fire-works. I will go home at once, and tell your papa, he
will be in time to stop it; or I will apprise Mr. Crosse, and he can
take what steps he pleases."

"Well, you will have a fine life of it, Miss Schomberg, if you tell any
tales, I can tell you," said Edith, pettishly, "and it really is no
business of yours. They are not under your care if I am. Oh, let them
be. Fred said he should let them off on the Langdale hills, far enough
away from the farm."

But Emilie was firm. She tied on her bonnet, and determined to make one
more effort--it should be