game in which we can join. I believe
you are afraid of being beaten by us."

"On the contrary, that is its only recommendation, that you can
join in it."

"Well, I think that ought to be recommendation enough. But I
believe it is much harder than most of your games. You can't
shoot half so well as you can play cricket, can you?"

"No, because I never practice. It isn't exciting to be walking up
and down between two targets, and doing the same thing over and
over again. Why, you don't find it so yourself. You hardly ever
shoot."

"Indeed, I do though, constantly."

"Why, I have scarcely ever seen you shooting."

"That is because you are away with the boys all day."

"Oh, I am never too far to know what is going on. I'm sure you
have never practised for more than a quarter of an hour any day I
have been here."

"Well, perhaps I may not have. But I tell you I am very fond of
it."

Here the two boys came up from the brook, Neddy with his Scotch
cap full of crayfish.

"Why, you wretched boys, where have you been? You are not fit to
be seen," said Mary, shaking the arrows at them which she was
carrying in her hand. "Go and dress directly, or you will be
late. I think I heard a carriage driving up just now."

"Oh, there's plenty of time. Look what whackers, Cousin Tom,"
said Charley, holding out one of his prizes by its back towards
Tom, while the indignant crayfish flapped its tail and worked
around with its claws, in hopes of getting hold of something to
pinch.

"I don't believe those boys have been dry for two hours together
in daylight since you first came here," said Mary, to Tom.

"Well, and they're all the better for it, I'm sure," said Tom.

"Yes, that we are," said Charley.

"I say Charley," said Tom, "your sister says she is very fond of
shooting."

"Ay, and so she is. And isn't she a good shot too? I believe she
would beat you at fifty yards."

"There now, you see, you need not have been so unbelieving," said
Mary.

"Will you give her a shot at your new hat, Cousin Tom?" said
Neddy.

"Yes, Neddy, that I will;" and he added to Mary, "I will bet you
a pair of gloves that you don't hit it in three shots."

"Very well," said Mary; "at thirty yards."

"No, no! fifty yards was the named distance."

"No, fifty yards is too far. Why, you hat is not much bigger than
the gold."

"Well, I don't mind splitting the difference; we will say forty."

"Very well--three shots at forty yards."

"