macy, and, once
found, they'll a hundred times outweigh all brilliant advantages kept in
the show-case of fellows who have nothing on the shelves. When this
comes about, you will pop the question unconsciously, and, to adapt
Milton, she'll drop into your lap 'gathered--not harshly plucked.'"

"I know that's sensible, Uncle Teddy, and I'll try. Let me tell you the
sacredest of secrets,--regularly every day of my life I send her a
little poem fastened round the prettiest bouquet I can get at Hanft's."

"Does she know who sends them?'"

"She can't have any idea. The German boy that takes them knows not a
word of English except her name and address. You'll forgive me, uncle,
for not mentioning her name yet? You see she may despise or hate me some
day when she knows who it is that has paid her these attentions; and
then I'd like to be able to feel that at least I've never hurt her by
any absurd connection with myself."

"Forgive you? Nonsense! The feeling does your heart infinite credit,
though a little counsel with your head would show you that your only
absurdity is self-depreciation."

Daniel bid me good-night. As I put out my cigar and went to bed, my
mind reverted to the dauntless little Hotspur who had spent the
afternoon with me and reversed his mother's wish, thinking,--

"Oh, if Daniel were more like Billy!"

It was always Billy's habit to come and sit with me while I smoked my
after-breakfast cigar, but the next morning did not see him enter my
room till St. George's hands pointed to a quarter of nine.

"Well, Billy Boy Blue, come blow your horn; what haystack have you been
under till this time of day? We sha'n't have a minute to look over our
spelling together, and I know a boy who's going in for promotion next
week. Have you had your breakfast, and taken care of Crab?"

"Yes, sir; but I didn't feel like getting up this morning."

"Are you sick?"

"No-o-o--it isn't that; but you'll laugh at me if I tell you."

"Indeed I won't, Billy!"

"Well,"--his voice dropped to a whisper, and he stole close to my
side,--"I had such a nice dream about _her_ just the last thing before
the bell rang; and when I woke up I felt so queer,--so kinder good and
kinder bad,--and I wanted to see her so much, that if I hadn't been a
big boy I believe I should have blubbered. I tried ever so much to go to
sleep and see her again; but the more I tried the more I couldn't. After
all, I had to get up without it, though I didn't