es Lu, she bees one goot leetle girl for send me that monish
yesterday," continued Foresti; "dot make me ver sorry I haf so leetle
batience mit her dat time she sthrike me mit de music book."

"Yes," said Captain Raymond, "and I trust that when you are again able
to teach you will try to be more patient and forbearing with your
pupils. It will be better for both you and them."

"Yes, sare, I vill try dat blan; but mine batience bees sorely dried mit
de mishtakes off dose careless bupils I haf to teach."

"I dare say that is true," said the captain, "but one who finds it
impossible to have patience with pupils, should try some other way of
making a livelihood than by teaching."

In another minute or two the captain left--not waiting for the doctors,
who were, as he knew, going in another direction--re-entered his
carriage, and started on the return trip to Viamede.

"Papa," asked Lulu, "can't we take a little different route going home?"

"Yes," he replied in an indulgent tone, and gave the necessary
directions to the driver.

It was a pleasant, shady road into which they presently turned, and the
children chatted and laughed right merrily, receiving no rebuke from
their father and fearing none.

They had not gone far on that road when they espied two horsemen
approaching from the opposite direction.

"Oh," cried little Elsie, "here come Cousin Ronald and Uncle Horace."

"An unexpected meeting, Captain," Mr. Dinsmore remarked, with a bow and
smile as they drew near.

"But none the less pleasant," returned Captain Raymond.

"Very true, sir," said Mr. Lilburn, bowing and smiling in his turn.

"For the captain and you young folks, no doubt, but a trifle less
delightful for us who have the load to carry," seemed to come from the
mouth of one of the horses as he tossed his head to shake off a fly.

"True enough, Selim. You doubtless envy me with only this gentleman to
carry; and I pity you from the bottom of my heart; only that it must be
good fun to hear those little folks chatting and laughing," was the
answering remark apparently made by the horse ridden by Mr. Lilburn,
speaking as they passed the captain's carriage.

Lulu and Grace clapped their hands, laughing merrily, while baby Ned
exclaimed, with a look of astonishment, "Me didn't fink horsey could
talk like udder folks!"

"Oh, yes! but why did they never do it before?" cried little Elsie.
"Papa, did you know they could talk?"

"I never heard them