king out a very bright rosette made of red
ribbon, and a packet of pins, "I want each of you to put one of these
on your left shoulder, and then we shall know one another when we are
too far off to see each other's faces. There, I've put mine on."

As she spoke she fastened one on to her jacket. Every one else did the
same, amidst a good deal of laughing and joking--every one, that is,
except one.

"Christopher, where's _your_ badge?" asked Mr. White, the
schoolmaster.

"In my pocket, sir," was the answer.

"We can't see through that, man; it isn't transparent, like a glass
window. Get out the rosette and put it on."

Christopher plunged his hands into his two jacket-pockets and fumbled.
Mr. White thought he was going to do as he was told, and took no
further notice.

"Chris, you haven't put it on, now," whispered Walter, as the horses
drew up at the station. "Ain't you going to?"

"Be quiet, will you? _You_ ain't master," said Christopher roughly;
and Walter was silent.

He noticed, though, that his friend kept well out of sight behind the
others, and also that in the train he took a seat on the same side as
Mr. White, and as far off as possible. Miss Richardson was with the
little girls in another carriage.

When the party reached the Crystal Palace station, they proceeded up
the steps to the gardens.

"Now," said Mr. Richardson, when they got to the final flight leading
into the great glass building--"now, I think we may as well separate
for a bit. I will stay inside and take any who wish to see the poultry
and rabbit show. The girls will like, I daresay, to go with Miss
Richardson, and those who don't care for the animals can follow Mr.
White to the garden; only be sure you all come to the terrace by one
o'clock for dinner."

So saying, he turned towards the corridor where an immense cackling
and cooing announced the presence of the poultry and pigeons, followed
by four of the lads and some of the men and boys.

"What shall you do, Chris?" whispered Walter.

"I shall see what schoolmaster's up to; and if I don't like what he
does, I shall make off and get some jolly good fun by myself," was the
answer. "You stick to me, Walter. I s'pose you don't want to be the
only big chap among all them little 'uns?"

"No; I'll stick to you, Chris," he replied, but he did not feel very
comfortable.

Walter was a well-meaning lad, but he was very weak, and easily led by
the stronger-willed Christopher.

Mr.