anage anything!" was the answer. "That was the happiest
chance imaginable that you came home with me, and so we came to go by
the same train."

Ethel was only afraid that time was being cruelly wasted; but the best
men, and it is emphatically the best that generally are so--have the
boy strong enough on one side or other of their natures, to be a great
provocation to womankind; and Dr. Spencer did not rest from his pursuit
till the brood of the jackdaws had been discovered, and two gray-headed
nestlings kidnapped, which were destined to a wicker cage and education.
Little Aubrey was beyond measure proud, and was suggesting all sorts of
outrageous classical names for them, till politely told by Tom that he
would make them as great prigs as himself, and that their names should
be nothing but Jack and Jill.

"There's nothing for it but for Aubrey to go to school," cried Tom,
sententiously turning round to Ethel.

"Ay, to Stoneborough," said Dr. Spencer.

Tom coloured, as if sorry for his movement, and hastened away to make
himself sufficiently clean to go in quest of a prison for his captives.

Dr. Spencer began to bethink him of the paper that he had been so
eagerly drawing up, and looking at his own begrimed hands, asked Ethel
whether she would have him for a trustee.

"Will the other eight ladies?" said Ethel, "that's the point."

"Ha, Spencer! you did not know what you were undertaking. Do you wish to
be let off?" said Dr. May.

"Not I," said the undaunted doctor. "Come, Ethel, let us hear what
should be done."

"There's no time," said Ethel, bewildered. "The court will be only on
the day after to-morrow."

"Ample time!" said Dr. Spencer, who seemed ready to throw himself into
it with all his might. "What we have to do is this. The ladies to be
propitiated are--"

"Nine Muses, to whom you will have to act Apollo," said Dr. May, who,
having put his friend into the situation, had a mischievous delight in
laughing at him, and watching what he would do.

"One and two, Ethel, and Mrs. Rivers!"

"Rather eight and nine," said Ethel, "though Flora may be somebody now."

"Seven then," said Dr. Spencer. "Well then, Ethel, suppose we set out
on our travels this afternoon. Visit these ladies, get them to call a
meeting to-morrow, and sanction their three trustees."

"You little know what a work it is to call a meeting, or how many notes
Miss Rich sends out before one can be accomplished."

"Faint heart--you kno