ok, as did Mrs. Colvin; and so still was
everyone, that it might have been thought that there was not a creature
in the room but the Seven Sleepers, unless it might be two or three
bees which came buzzing in and out.

"How pleasant," thought Mrs. Colvin, "it is to have to do with
well-behaved children! I should not mind having these little
Fairchilds always with me, at least till Henry is fit only to be
managed by men."

Lucy and Emily wished much to know what was going to be done in the
park, but they did not find the time long. Lucy had chosen the _History
of Mrs. Teachum_, and Emily the _Adventures of Robin, Dicksy, Flapsy,
and Pecksy_, quite a new book, which she had never seen before. The
great people in the parlour were to dine at four o'clock, that they
also might go into the park afterwards; and a little before four the
waiting-maid came up with the best things for Master and the Misses
Fairchild, packed in a bandbox, the pretty presents of Miss Crosbie not
having been forgotten.

When Mrs. Colvin saw the box she called the children to her; they all
came running but Henry.

"Now, my dears," she said, "you have been very quiet, and it is time to
dress;" and she offered the maid's help to dress Lucy and Emily.

"No, thank you, ma'am," said Lucy; "we have no one to wait upon us at
home; we always dress each other."

"I wish," said Miss Darwell, "that I had a little sister whom I might
dress; but Mrs. Colvin always dresses me," she added in a whisper to
Lucy, "because she loves me, and I love her."

"But where is Henry?" said Mrs. Colvin.

They went to look, and there was he, sound asleep on the floor in the
play-room, with Shem, Ham, and Japhet in his hands, and all the birds
and beasts about him.

"Well," said Mrs. Colvin, "I did think he was the quietest boy that I
had ever known, but he has lost a little credit with me now; most boys
are quiet when they are asleep."

Emily stooped down and kissed him, which caused him to wake; but when
he was aroused he looked about him in such a surprised way that all
the little girls laughed heartily, and he looked as if he felt ashamed.

Mrs. Colvin set him to pack up his ark, whilst she showed Emily and
Lucy into a room to dress, saying:

"When you are ready, come to me, that I may see that all is right."

When they were dressed they called Henry, who was yet to be dressed,
and then sought Mrs. Colvin; she, too, was ready, and Miss Darwell was
standing by he