together once more over the principal
places where the two divisions of it had gone separately before, so that
all might have a general idea of the whole domain; and then, going out
at a different gate from the one by which they had entered, they went
home, all resolving to come again, if possible, at some future day.

CHAPTER IX.

AN EXCURSION.

ONE day, about one o'clock, after Rollo had been in Paris about a
fortnight, he came into the hotel from a walk which he had been taking,
and there found his mother and Jennie putting on their bonnets. He asked
them where they were going. They said they were going to take a ride
with Mr. George.

"May I go, too?" asked Rollo.

"Why--yes," said his mother, hesitatingly. "I suppose there will be
room. Or you may stay at home here with your father. He is asleep in his
room."

It is generally the case with children, both boys and girls, when they
are young, that if they can get any sort of consent, however reluctant,
from their parents, to any of their requests, they are satisfied, and
take the boon thus hesitatingly accorded to them as readily as if it had
been granted to them in the freest and most cordial manner. With
gentlemen and ladies, however, it is different. They generally have
more delicacy, and are seldom willing to accept of any favor unless
circumstances are such that it can be granted in a very free and cordial
manner. They will scarcely ever, in any case, ask to be permitted to
join any party that others have formed; and when they do ask, if they
perceive the slightest doubt or hesitation on the part of their friends
in acceding to their proposal, they infer that it would be, for some
reason or other, inconvenient for them to go; and they accordingly, at
once, give up all intention of going.

Rollo, though still a boy, was beginning to have some of the honorable
sentiments and feelings of a man; and when he perceived that his mother
hesitated a little about granting his request, he decided immediately
not to go and ride. Besides, he liked the idea of staying with his
father.

"Well," said he, "I will stay here. My father may wish for something
when he wakes up."

"I don't suppose, however, after all," added his mother, "that it is
really necessary for you to stay on his account. His bell is within
reach; and Alfred will come immediately when he rings."

"But I should _like_ to stay," said Rollo; "and besides, I can get ahead
one more day in my