nd out about the mischief done to the table, she
was so very angry that she would not allow him to join the party that
afternoon in the excursion in the steamer. While she pointed out the
various objects of interest to Vea and myself, seeing that poor Vea was
depressed in spirits--her kind heart suffering extremely when her
brothers fell into error--Aunt Berkley whispered, 'You are not vexed
with me, dear child, for punishing Patrick? If he had owned the fault, I
would have forgiven him; but he was so stubborn, and would not even
speak when spoken to. Alfred is so different.'

"'Oh no,' said Vea quickly; 'I am only sorry that he was so naughty and
required the punishment;' but, as if afraid she was condemning her
brother, she added, 'Patrick has a warm, affectionate nature, aunt; if
he could only get over his love of mischief he would be a dear, good
boy.'

"'Well, my dear, we must try to help him to be good. Boys will be boys,
however; though it is necessary to punish them sometimes, else they
might get into serious disgrace. We must have another excursion soon,
and perhaps the thought of it will keep Patrick from being naughty.'

"On reaching home that afternoon they found the school-room empty; and
though Patrick had been told he was to remain in the house till his aunt
returned, he was nowhere to be found. Alfred sought for him in all their
favourite haunts about the out-houses and garden, but without success.
'I'll tell you where he will be, Vea,' said Alfred, on his return to the
school-room from a last hunt in the orchard,--'he has gone to the cave
at the Bluff Crag.'

"'Oh, surely not,' said Vea in distress. 'Aunt told us distinctly we
were never to go there without leave from her, and then only with some
person who knows the coast well. What makes you fancy such a thing,
Alfred?'

"'Because, I remember now, he muttered to himself about giving aunt
something to be angry for; and he has often been wanting me to go
there.'

"'I hope this is not the case, Alfred,' said Vea. 'But perhaps aunt
would allow us to go down to the beach with Natilie, to look for him.'

"'I daresay she will,' said Alfred; 'but if you do ask her, don't
mention Patrick's name; you needn't be getting him always into a scrape
by your tale-telling.'

"'O Alfred, how cruel you are,' said Vea, 'when you know I am always
trying to get you boys out of scrapes!' and the tears rose to her eyes.

"'Very well, then, I won't,' said Alfred; 'y