die a-laughing! His lessons always
seem too short.

MR. S. What is that sticking out of your pocket?

EDWARD (_pulling it out and looking at it_). Oh! ha, ha! It's a portrait
I drew of you, as you look when I don't know my lessons.

[Illustration]

MR. S. Give it to me. (_He takes the caricature and looks at it, but
shows no anger._) So you prefer to spend your time in an unamiable,
contemptible occupation like this, to acquiring useful lessons.

EDWARD (_looking a little ashamed_). Well, I like to be amused. It was
only a little fun. It was not meant for you to see.

MR. S. Will you give me an account of your reading to-day?

EDWARD. I--I--have not been reading, sir.

MR. S. Not reading? Why?

EDWARD. Because the book you gave me had so many long, stupid words,
that I couldn't understand what it was all about, so I just pitched it
out of the window.

MR. S. You call a book stupid which has such a thrilling account of the
bombardment of Vera Cruz, with a fine engraving showing you the great
General Scott and his brave soldiers? I wonder at you! You have a head,
and so has a drum; both empty.

[Illustration: Bombardment of Vera Cruz.]

SCENE IX.--_Enter_ MRS. LANGDON, MARY BROWN, _and_ MORRIS, _her son_.

MRS. L. See, my son, I bring you one of your best friends--your dear old
nurse Mary, and her son, who is almost your brother.

MARY (_running up to kiss him_). How do you do, dear, dear child! how
handsome you are! Here's your old play-fellow, Morris; don't you
remember him?

EDWARD. No!

MORRIS (_who has a nice little cream cheese wrapped up in a napkin_). I
remember you. You're my dear brother Edward. See--I have brought you
this cream cheese; my mother made it on purpose for you--take it--don't
you know me now?

EDWARD (_who recoils, and takes twenty-five cents out of his pocket_).
Here, take this, Morris.

MORRIS (_coloring indignantly_). I did not ask you for money; I don't
want it; I am not a beggar.

EDWARD. But I ought to pay you for the cheese.

MORRIS (_with emotion_). Do you think I brought it to you for money? I
would rather have thrown it out of the window.

MRS. L. Never mind, Morris, take the cheese home to your father; it will
do him good to eat it.

MORRIS (_taking it and giving it to his mother, and saying, in a
disappointed tone_), Well, take it, mother.

MARY (_looking lovingly at Edward_). How handsome he is! how he has
grown! My heart warms to him.

MRS. L. Well,