t, having probably taken
them off to wash her hands after eating her dinner.

Elsie tripped joyfully downstairs. "See, papa! see!" she cried holding up
her hand before him, "they were not lost, after all. Oh, I am so glad!
aren't you, papa?"

"Yes, my dear, and now I hope you will be more careful in future."

"I will try, papa; but must I never play in the brook any more? I like it
so much."

"No, I don't like to forbid it entirely, because I remember how much I
used to enjoy such things myself at your age. But you must not stay in
too long, and must be careful not to go in when you are heated with
running, and always remember to dip your hands in first. And another
thing, you must not stay out so late again, or you may give trouble. You
must always be ready at the usual hour, or I shall have to say you must
sup on bread and water."

"Oh! I think that would be rather too hard, Mr. Dinsmore," interposed
Mrs. Allison, "and I hope you will not compel me to be so inhospitable."

"I hope there is not much danger that I shall ever have to put my threat
into execution, Mrs. Allison, for it is not often that Elsie is twice
guilty of the same fault; one talking generally does her," he answered
with an affectionate glance at his little daughter.

"Then I call her a very good child," remarked the lady emphatically; "it
is no unusual thing for mine to require telling half a dozen times. But
walk in to tea," she added, folding up her work. "Ah! Sophy, I am glad
to see you looking neat again. I think you were in no better plight than
Elsie when you came in."

For some time after this, the young people were very careful to come in
from their play in good season; but one afternoon they had taken a longer
walk than usual, going farther down their little brook, and establishing
themselves in a new spot where they imagined the grass was greener, and
the shade deeper. The day was cloudy, and they could not judge of the
time so well as when they could see the sun, and so it happened that they
stayed much later than they should have done.

Elsie was feeling a little anxious, and had once or twice proposed
going home, but was always overruled by Harold and Sophy, who insisted
that it was not at all late. But at length Elsie rose with an air of
determination, saying she was sure it _must_ be getting late, and if
they would not go with her, she must go alone.

"Well, then, we will go, and I guess it's about time," said Harold; "so
c