was leaving the school!
What a dear boy was this Precious Stone! She even forgot the boy with
the blue eyes when she looked at Jasper's honest, manly face. But the
best of good teas come to an end.

Duncan came in with his soft whisper and gentle words in his cracked
old voice, still singing softly, 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?' Hollyhock gave him a haughty glance, but
he did not observe it; and Jasper suddenly said, springing to his feet,
'Hurrah, old Duncan! you are the man for me. Let's all sing the jolly
old song!'

'But, master,' faltered Duncan, 'I canna sing as once I sang.'

Jasper said, 'Nonsense; you forget yourself, Duncan. You lead off, and
we 'll begin.'

All the children stood up; all the young voices, the middle-aged voice
of Mrs Constable, and the aged voice of Duncan brought out the beloved
words:

'Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

'We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne.'

Just as the last words had echoed round the hall, who should enter but
the father of the Flower Girls. There was a sudden cry of rapture.
Jasmine's arms were round his neck; Delphy mounted to her accustomed
place on his shoulder. He was their own, their darling. Gentian
kissed his hand over and over again. Dark-eyed Rose of the Garden
kissed him once more. Oh, how happy they were! for his little
Hollyhock--the child who had troubled him all the week--overcome by
varied emotions, sprang to his side, pushed both Jasmine and Gentian
away, and said, 'Oh, daddy, I have been a bad, bad lassie, but I'm all
right now; and if you'll listen, daddy mine, and if the others will
hold their peace for a minute, I 'll let my great secret out.' There
was a new sound in Hollyhock's voice. Old Duncan stood in a kind of
trance of wonder. To be sure, things _were_ coming round, and that
week of misery was over. 'Daddy,' said Hollyhock, 'I didn't think
you'd enjoy my absence as much as you will. I talked a lot of
nonsense, and said I'd see to you, Daddy Dumps; but what's the use? I
'm not just entirely to blame, but I have _not_ been happy this last
week, so I think it is well that I shoul