s just saying, "For eight florins you may have it; but it's a pity to
kill it with such fine hoofs."

"I'll give seven."

His father shook his head.

"Well, split the difference and say done."

Ivo saw what it all meant in an instant. Leaving his slate and books
against the wall, he rushed into the stable, fell upon the calf's neck
and cried, embracing it tenderly, "No, no, Brindle! they sha'n't stab
your poor neck." He cried aloud, and could hardly pronounce the words,
"Why, father, father, you promised me!"

The calf bleated with all its might, as if it knew what was about to
happen, and the cow turned her head and growled without opening her
mouth.

Valentine was puzzled. He took off his cap, looked into it, and put it
on again. Smiling on Ivo, he said at last, "Well, let it be so; I don't
want to fret the child. Ivo, you may raise it, but you must find the
food for it."

The butcher walked away, his dog barking as he ran before him, as if to
give vent to his master's vexation. He made a rush at Valentine's geese
and chickens, and scattered them in all directions: it is the way with
underlings to expend their ill will on the dependants of their master's
foes.

The thought that he had saved the calf's life made Ivo very happy; yet
he could not but feel sore at the idea that, but for an accident, his
father would have broken the promise he had made him. He forgot all
this, however, when the time came for him to lead his pet out into the
grass and watch it while grazing.

One afternoon Ivo stood holding Brindle by the tether while it browsed.
With a clear voice he sang a song which Nat had taught him. The tones
seemed to tremble with half-suppressed yearnings. It was as follows:--

"Up yonder, up yonder,
At the heavenly gate,
A poor soul is standing
In sorrowful strait.

"Poor soul of mine, poor soul of mine,
Come hither to me,
And thy garments shall be white
As wool to-see.

"As white and as pure
As the new-driven snow,
And, hand in hand, together
Into heaven we'll go.

"Into heaven, into heaven,
Upon the heavenly hill,
Where God Father, and God Son,
And God the Spirit dwell."

[Illustration: Emmerence