and one of
them pointed out to Mr. Parlin the blood-stain on the edge of the wood.

"You can't trust much to what boys say, especially such harum-scarum
fellows as Ed Johnson," added Mr. Fox. "I shouldn't wonder, now, Grimes,
if he and that Piper boy got their tempers up, and tried to spite you,
for ordering them out of the shop. They were troublesome, and he had to
speak sharp," added Mr. Fox, addressing Mr. Parlin again.

"That's so!" exclaimed Mr. Grimes. "You take three little chaps, and
have 'em meddling with your nails, and sticking scraps of iron into the
coals, and it makes a man cross--or it frets _me_, and I told 'em to
quit."

"Saucy little rogues," chimed in Mr. Fox, anxious for the honor of his
workman.

"As for my striking the pony," continued Mr. Grimes, "I might have
patted him once or twice with the _handle_ of the hammer. I often do
that; but my blows wouldn't kill a fly."

After a little more conversation Mr. Parlin was satisfied that no real
cruelty had been used towards Wings. Susy's heart rose like a feather.

"_Always wait till you hear both sides of a story!_" said Mr. Parlin, as
he and his daughter walked home.

"Just the words _mother_ said this very day," cried Susy, skipping
lightly over the paving-stones. "It's so queer you and mother should
_both_ talk so much alike."

CHAPTER VIII.

THE WATER-KELPIE.

It was nearly time for vacation. As the children were to start on the
next Monday for Willow-brook, their mother allowed them to spend their
last Wednesday afternoon with their cousin Florence. It fell to Prudy's
lot to dress her little sister.

"I'm ever so glad," said Dotty, "that the barber snipped off my
_kyurls_. Don't you think I do look like a boy, now, Prudy? You may call
me Tommy, if you want to; I'm willin'."

"There, now," she exclaimed, when her toilet was made, "say me my
lesson; please to, Prudy."

"O, I forgot all about that" replied the little teacher, uneasily. "Susy
'll be done practising in half an hour, and I thought I'd just have time
to make my doll's boots,--finish them, I mean. Can't you wait till
Saturday, Dotty?"

"O, my suz, Prudy Parlin! When I get to be a great sister to you, I
won't treat you so. I want to get my letters all smooth done
to-day,--don't want to wait till Sat'day."

At any other time Prudy would have been gratified to see Dotty show so
much eagerness.

"Be kind to thy sister," hummed the gentle little teacher. "Yes, I