o was it?"

"I can't tell that," said Pennie, "only _I_ didn't."

"Then," exclaimed Nancy eagerly, "I expect it was that mean Ethelwyn."

Miss Unity took off her spectacles and rubbed them nervously; then she
went up to Pennie and kissed her.

"I am sorry I called you deceitful, Pennie," she said, "but I am very
glad to find I was wrong. When I look at the mandarin now, I shall not
so much mind his being broken, because he will remind me that you are a
good and honourable child."

Now the cloud was gone which had made Pennie's sky so dark, and all was
bright again; the drive back to Easney, which she always enjoyed, was on
this occasion simply delightful. Though the afternoon was dull and
foggy, and there was a little drizzling rain, everything looked pleasant
and gay from under the big umbrella which she and Nancy shared together;
the old woman at the halfway cottage smiled and nodded as they passed,
as though she knew that Pennie felt specially happy, and when they got
to the white gate, there were Ambrose and David waving their caps and
shouting welcome. How delightful to be at home again--without Ethelwyn!

Pennie rushed about, hugging everybody and everything she happened to
meet, animals and human beings alike, till she became quite tiresome in
her excess of joy.

"There, there, Miss Pennie, that'll do. Leave the child alone now,
you'll make her quite fractious," said Nurse, rescuing Cicely from a
too-energetic embrace. Pennie looked round for something fresh to
caress, and her eye fell on the Lady Dulcibella sitting in her arm-chair
by the dolls' house. There was a satisfied simper on her pink face, as
though she waited for admiration; she held her little nose high in the
air, and one could almost hear her say, "How very vulgar!" Pennie
turned from her with a shudder, and picked up Jemima, who was lying on
the floor flat on her face.

"Why, Pennie," exclaimed Nancy, opening her eyes very wide, "you're
_kissing Jemima_!"

"Well," replied Pennie, giving the battered cheek another hearty kiss,
"I feel fond of her. She's the oldest of all, and very useful I think
she ought to be kissed sometimes."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

HOW DICKIE WENT TO THE CIRCUS.

"Has you ever seen a circus, Andoo?"

"Aye, missie."

"When has you seen it?"

"Years ago, little missie--years ago. When I was a fool."

"Is you fool now, Andoo?"

"Maybe, missie, maybe," (with a grim smile); "but I surely was then."

Dic