here we used to fish for gold-eyes, and the spot in the
woods where we have so often chased the little birds, and the lake in
the prairies where we used to go in spring to watch the water-fowl
sporting in the sunshine. When I recalled these things, Charley, and
thought of you as dead, I felt as if I should die too. And when I came
here and found that my fears were needless, that you were alive and
safe, and almost well, I felt thankful--yes, very, very thankful--to God
for sparing your life, my dear, dear Charley." And Kate laid her head
on his bosom and sobbed, when she thought of what might have been, as if
her very heart would break.

Charley's disposition to levity entirely vanished while his sister
spoke; and twining his tough little arm round her neck, he pressed her
fervently to his heart.

"Bless you, Kate," he said at length. "I am indeed thankful to God, not
only for sparing my life, but for giving me such a darling sister to
live for. But now, Kate, tell me, what do you think of father's
determination to have me placed in the office here?"

"Indeed, I think it's very hard. Oh, I do wish _so_ much that I could
do it for you," said Kate, with a sigh.

"Do _what_ for me?" asked Charley.

"Why, the office work," said Kate.

"Tuts! fiddlesticks! But isn't it, now, really a _very_ hard case?"

"Indeed it is; but then, what can you do?"

"Do?" said Charley impatiently; "run away, to be sure."

"Oh, don't speak of that!" said Kate anxiously. "You know it will kill
our beloved mother; and then it would grieve father very much."

"Well, father don't care much about grieving me, when he hunted me down
like a wolf till I nearly broke my neck."

"Now, Charley, you must not speak so. Father loves you tenderly,
although he _is_ a little rough at times. If you only heard how kindly
he speaks of you to our mother when you are away, you could not think of
giving him so much pain. And then the Bible says, `Honour thy father
and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee;' and as God speaks in the Bible, _surely_ we should pay
attention to it!"

Charley was silent for a few seconds; then heaving a deep sigh, he
said,--"Well, I believe you're right, Kate; but then, what am I to do?
If I don't run away, I must live, like poor Harry Somerville, on a
long--legged stool; and if I do _that_, I'll--I'll--"

As Charley spoke, the door opened, and his father entered.