accompanied her was my sister,
Flora, so much had she grown during the past year. I did not expect to
meet Charley Gray, as the holidays were all over long ago, but the good
Doctor and his wife were kind and friendly, indeed they had ever been so
to me. "Charley went away in the sulks because you failed to come home
during the holidays," said the Doctor with a good-humoured laugh, "but a
fit of the sulks is no very uncommon thing for him;" and then he added,
while a grave expression rested for a moment upon his face, "poor
Charley I hope he will get rid of that unhappy temper of his as he grows
older, if not it will destroy his happiness for life." "I am sure,"
replied I, "that Charley could not have been more anxious about it than
I was myself, but I could not leave Uncle Nathan till the fall." "So I
told him," said the Doctor, "but would you believe it, the fellow for a
while persisted in saying, you knew he was at home, and so stayed away
purposely, till he finally became ashamed of himself and owned that he
did not really think so, and only said it because he was provoked by
your not coming home; you see he is the same unreasonable Charley that
he ever was, but it is to be hoped he will in time, become wiser."

I was glad to find myself again at home; much as I might love another
place, Elmwood was my home. My favorite tree in the garden looked doubly
beautiful, clothed as it was with deep green, while the foliage had long
since been stripped from those surrounding it by the frosts and winds of
November.

CHAPTER XXV.

About two weeks after my return home, Dr. Gray called one evening, and
informed my mother that he had that day received a letter from an old
friend of his, who was a merchant doing an extensive business in the
city of Montreal, requesting him, if possible, to find him a good trusty
boy, whom he wished to give a situation in his store. "Mr. Baynard
prefers a boy from the country," said the Doctor, "as he has had some
rather unpleasant experiences with city boys; and it occurred to me that
you might be willing your son should give the place a trial. I wish not
to influence you too much: but I know Mr. Baynard well; and if I wished
a situation for my own son I know of no place which would please me
better." "Did my circumstances allow of it," said my mother, "I would
gladly keep my boy at home, but, as it is necessary for him to seek
employment, perhaps no better situation will offer, and as yo