!'

A few minutes later Major Raeburn, with his son on his back, was
standing outside the stables, calling, 'Simmons, Simmons!'

'Yes, sir,' answered a smart young groom, who hurried out of the stables
at the sound of his master's voice.

'Here we are, Simmons. I have brought Master Harry to see his new
present. What do you think of it?'

But at this moment a pair of restless feet kicked vigorously against the
Major's sides to remind him that the future owner of the mysterious
present was impatient; so bending his head he stepped into the stable.

For a second there was silence, while the child peered into corners.

'Well, old man,' said his father, 'see nothing?'

'No,' he murmured in a disappointed voice; but just at that moment, a
pair of long ears appeared. 'Father,' he gasped, 'I see a donkey! Is
that my present?'

'Yes, that is your present from Father and Mother, and as to-morrow is
your birthday you must take Mary a drive on the Common. There is a jolly
little governess car, also, that will just hold Nannie and Mary and you
and Baby, but it is too late to go to the coach-house to-night. Looks a
nice little animal, doesn't he, Simmons? I should think that Mary could
drive him all right. She says that she always drove a donkey in her last
situation!'

'Oh, yes, sir, she will be all right. He is a pretty donkey, and not a
scrap of vice about him, I should say.'

'And what are you going to say to Father for giving you such a nice
present?' said Major Raeburn as he retraced his steps.

'Oh, thank you very much, Father,' murmured the boy, laying his golden
head against his father's, and clasping him tightly round the neck with
his strong little arms; 'and now be a kicking horse back to the house.'

Later on Mother had a full description of the donkey's appearance,
followed by an exhibition of how Harry would ride him. This he
demonstrated by means of a drawing-room chair and the hearth-brush: and
if there were moments when Mother had fears for the fate of her chair,
neither by word nor look did she show it, though when Mary's voice from
the door was heard saying, 'It's your bed-time, Master Harry,' the
expression on her face was distinctly one of relief.

(_Continued on page 390._)

FINDING FAULT WITH NATURE.

A certain lady was in the habit of spending her leisure time in making
flowers and fruits of wax and other material. In time she became very
clever at the work, but her friends always f