French."

Rollo was writing a course of French exercises, and his task was one
lesson for every day. The rule was, that he was to write this exercise
immediately after breakfast, unless he had written it before; that is,
either on the same day before breakfast, or on a previous day. Now,
Rollo desired to be free after breakfast, for that was a very pleasant
time to go out. Besides, there were often plans and excursions formed
for that time, which he was invited to join; and he could not join them
unless his lesson for the day had been written. So he took pains to
write his exercises, as much as possible, in advance. Whenever there
came a rainy day he would write two or three lessons, and sometimes he
would write early in the morning. He was now nearly a week in advance.
Instead of being satisfied with this, however, he began to be quite
interested in seeing how far ahead he could get. This feeling was what
led him to think that he would take this opportunity to write a French
lesson.

Accordingly, when his mother and Jennie had gone, he seated himself at
his table and began his work. The writing of the exercise took about an
hour. When the work was finished, and while Rollo was preparing to put
his books away, he heard a movement in his father's room. He got up
from his seat and opened the door, gently, saying,--

"Father, are you awake?"

"Yes," said his father. "Are you there, Rollo?"

Rollo found his father sitting up in a great arm chair, by the side of
his bed. He had a dressing gown on.

"How do you feel, father?" said Rollo.

"I think I feel better," said Mr. Holiday. As he said this he put on his
slippers, and then stood up upon the rug that lay in front of his bed.

"Yes," said he, "I certainly feel better--a great deal better."

"I am very glad," said Rollo.

"Where is your mother?" asked Mr. Holiday, as he walked across the room
to the glass.

"She has gone out to take a ride," said Rollo, "with uncle George and
Jennie."

"That's right," said Mr. Holiday. "I am very glad that she has gone. And
have you been staying here to take care of me?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," said Rollo. "I have been writing another French lesson. I
have got them all written now to next Friday."

"Ah," said Mr. Holiday, "that's excellent. That's what the farmers call
being forehanded."

"Now, Rollo," said Mr. Holiday, after a little pause, "I feel so much
better that I should like to go somewhere and take a ride myself.