, it isn't, there is really nothing there," Edward said
soothingly, yet with a laugh, for a second thought had told him the real
cause of the disturbance.

"I believe it's gone," she said, drawing a long breath of relief, as she
turned her head this way and that, "but where did it go to? and how
strange for one to be flying about this time of year!"

The other ladies exchanging amused glances and smiles, were drawing round
the table again when a loud "cluck, cluck" came from beneath it.

"Oh, there she is! there's the old hen Max brought!" cried Walter,
springing from Mr. Lilburn's knee to run to the table.

Stooping down he peeped under it. "Why, no, she's not there!" he said in
wonder and disappointment. "Ah, yonder she is! behind that window
curtain," as "cluck, cluck cluck," came from a distant corner. "Max, Max,
catch her quick, 'fore she gets away!"

Max ran and hastily drew aside the curtain.

There was nothing there, as Walter, Lulu and Gracie, who had all rushed to
the spot, perceived with amazement.

"Hark!" said Mr. Dinsmore, and as a death-like silence fell upon the room
the "cluck, cluck, cluck" was distinctly heard from the hall.

Out rushed the children and searched its whole length, but without finding
the intruder.

Back they came to report their failure. Then dogs, big and little, barked
and growled, now here, now there, little pigs squealed, cats meowed, and
mice squealed from the corners, under sofas and chairs, in the ladies'
laps, in the gentlemen's pockets, yet not one could be seen.

For a while it made a great deal of sport, but at length little feeble
Gracie grew frightened and nervous, and running to "Mamma Vi" hid her head
in her lap with a burst of tears and sobs.

That put an end to the fun and frolic, everybody sobered down instantly
and kept very quiet, while Grandpa Dinsmore carefully explained to the
little weeper that Cousin Ronald had made all the sounds which had so
excited and alarmed her, and that there was really nothing in the room
that could hurt or annoy her.

She lifted her head at last, wiped away her tears, and with a laugh that
was half a sob, said, "I'll stop crying, then; but I'm afraid everybody
thinks I'm a great baby."

"Oh no, dear!" said Grandma Elsie, "we all know that if our little girlie
is easily troubled, it is because she is not well and strong like the rest
of us."

"And I must beg your pardon for frightening you so, my wee bit bonny
lassie,"