n close confinement."

"I had rather uncle Frank would carry him back to Africa," sighed the
child. "He would be so unhappy."

"Well, dear, I wouldn't grieve about it now. We must manage somehow till
uncle Frank comes, and then perhaps he can tell us what to do. Now I'll
read you another story."

"A monkey living with a gentleman in the country became so troublesome
that the servants were constantly complaining."

"That seems similar to our case," said the lady, smiling, as she
interrupted the reading.

"One day, having his offers of assistance rudely repulsed, he went into
the next house by a window in the second story, which was unfortunately
open. Here he pulled out a small drawer, where the lady kept ribbons,
laces, and handkerchiefs, and putting them in a foot-tub, rubbed away
vigorously for an hour, with all the soap and water there were to be
found in the room.

"When the lady returned to the chamber, he was busily engaged in
spreading the torn and disfigured remnants to dry.

"He knew well enough he was doing wrong; for, without her speaking to
him, he made off quickly and ran home, where he hid himself in the case
of the large kitchen clock.

"The servants at once knew he had been in mischief, as this was his
place of refuge when he was in disgrace.

"One day he watched the cook while she was preparing some partridges for
dinner, and concluded that all birds ought to be so treated. He soon
managed to get into the yard, where his mistress kept a few pet bantam
fowls, and, after eating their eggs, he secured one of the hens, and
began plucking it. The noise of the poor bird called some of the
servants to the rescue, when they found the half-plucked creature in
such a pitiable condition that they killed it at once. After this, Mr.
Monkey was chained up, and soon died."

Minnie looked very grave after hearing this story, and presently said,
"I wonder how old that monkey was."

"The book does not mention his age, my dear. Why?"

"I was thinking that perhaps, as Jacko grows older, he may learn better;
and then I said to myself, 'That one must have been young.'"

"If a monkey is really inclined to be vicious, he is almost unbearable,"
remarked the lady. "His company does not begin to compensate for the
trouble he makes. Sometimes he is only cunning, but otherwise mild and
tractable."

"And which, mamma, do you think Jacko is?"

"I have always thought, until lately, that he was one of the better
kin