ints when she had so much on her mind.

Saturday came, and Marcus was to be at home all day. Hatty actually
dreaded it. She did not know how she should get through so many hours,
with Marcus about the house, so she resolved to go early to the arbour,
and perhaps he would not follow her there.

Marcus lounged about by himself for a while, and at last, out of
loneliness, he went down to the arbour, too.

Hatty looked up pleasantly as he drew near, and said: "Why can't you
get a book, Marcus, and read something to Meg and me?"

"To Meg and you!" said Marcus, contemptuously. "A pretty business for a
boy of twelve!"

Hatty did not like contempt, and she answered, hastily: "I am only two
years younger than you are, and mother says I am farther advanced in
some of my studies!"

"Hurrah for the red-head; touch her, and she goes off like a brimstone
match!" said Marcus, triumphantly, for he was tired of having all the
crossness on his own side.

"Hatty's hair isn't red," said Meg, angrily. "I heard a lady say, the
other day, it was beautiful auburn hair; and she said Hatty was
sweet-looking and good, and that is more than anybody will say of you."

"Bad boy! bad boy! Go away!" said Harry, lifting his fat little leg and
trying to kick Marcus with his wee foot.

Hatty could not reprove the children, for she herself had set the
example of speaking angry words.

Heartily ashamed of herself, she said: "I am very sorry I spoke so to
you, Marcus; it was not right. I ought not to mind being put with Meg,
for she is a dear little girl, and I love her very much."

"And I love Hatty, and you shan't be cross to her," said Meg, putting
her arms round Hatty.

"It was Hatty who was cross," said the little girl, sadly. "Poor Hatty
is only _trying_ to be good. She does wrong very, very often."

"Hatty dood! Hatty dood!" said Harry, nestling at her side.

Marcus walked away, without saying another word. He took his
fishing-rod, and Hatty saw him no more that day.

When Marcus came home in the evening he was very tired. The family had
all done supper. He took what he wanted, alone, and then went up to bed
without saying "good-night" to any body. When he got into his own room,
he saw on the floor by his bed a beautiful pair of slippers, with dogs'
heads worked neatly upon them. He took off his heavy shoes. How
comfortable the slippers felt to his tired feet! Such an excellent
fit--so loose and easy! "How kind in mother to make the