ed crows went flying
overhead, calling a cheery reminder to each other as they went along;
_they_ were having a good time. Norton chafed against the barriers that
hindered him. Suddenly a swift footstep came over the grass, and Mr.
Richmond stood before him.

"Is this the house?" he asked. "Is Matilda here?"

"Yes, sir; and I've tried to get her out. And I can't."

Mr. Richmond went in without more words. A moment after Matilda opened
the door he had shut.

"Well! will you go now?" said Norton.

"I must. Mr. Richmond will not let me stay."

Mr. Richmond himself came again to the door.

"Norton," said he, "I am going to ask you to take Matilda to the
parsonage. The best thing will be for you and her to make your home
there, until Mrs. Laval gives further orders. You will both be heartily
welcome. Will you take her there and take care of her until I come
home?"

"Thank you, sir," said Norton, "it is not necessary----"

"You must let my word go for that," said the minister, smiling. "If not
necessary, I think it prudent. I wish it; and I invite both of you. It
would be treating me very ill to refuse me, and I am sure you will not
do that. I trust you to take care of Matilda until I get home. The
house will be quite alone when Miss Redwood leaves it. Is anybody in
the house on the bank?"

"No, sir; nobody."

"I will lock it up, then, and bring the key. Go in and put up anything
you will want for a day or two, and I will send it after you."

With a nod and a smile at them Mr. Richmond went in again. The two
children looked at each other, and then began to mount the bank.

"You do what Mr. Richmond tells you," remarked Norton.

"Of course," said Matilda. "So do you."

"It wouldn't be civil to do anything else," said Norton. "But isn't it
jolly, that you and I should go to make a visit at the parsonage! What
is a parsonage like? It isn't like other houses, I suppose."

"Why, yes, it is," said Matilda; "just like; only a minister lives in
it."

"That makes the difference," said Norton. "Don't you feel as if you
were in church all the time? I shall, I know."

"Why, no, Norton! what an idea. Mr. Richmond's house is not like a
church."

"Isn't he like a minister?"

"Why, yes, of course!" said Matilda, with some indignation. "He isn't
like _your_ minister, Norton."

"Why?" said Norton, laughing.

"I don't know. He isn't stiff. He don't dress unlike other people. He
is just as pleasant as anybody else c