nesses, anyhow; you haven't got one yet, and sufficient unto the
day is the governess thereof. What are we going to do to-morrow?"

"Can't do very much," said Norah, still showing traces of gloom. "It's
Sunday; besides, the horses want a spell, and you boys will have to
pack--you leave pretty early on Monday, you know."

"Oh, botheration!" said Wally, jumping up so suddenly that he upset his
chair. "For goodness' sake, don't talk of going back until we actually
get there; it's bad enough then. Let's go and explore somewhere
to-morrow."

"We can do that all right," said Jim, glad of any turn being given to
the melancholy conversation. "We've never taken you chaps to the falls,
two miles up the creek, and they're worth seeing."

"It's a nice walk, too," added Norah, putting sorrow to flight by deftly
landing a pellet of bread on Harry's nose. "Think you can struggle so
far, Harry?"

"Yes, and carry you back when you knock up," said that gentleman,
returning the missile, without success, Norah having retreated behind a
vase of roses. "I think it would be a jolly good plan."

"Right oh!" said Jim. "That's settled. We'll pack up in the morning, get
Brownie to give us dinner early, and start in good time. It doesn't
really take long to walk there, you know, only we want to be able to
loaf on the way, and when we get to the falls."

"Rather," said Harry. "I never see any fun in a walk when you tear
somewhere, get there, and tear back again. Life's too short. Come on,
Norah, and play to us."

So they trooped into the drawing-room, and for an hour the boys lay
about on sofas and easy chairs, while Norah played softly. Finally she
found that her entire audience was sound asleep, a state of things she
very naturally resented by gently pouring water from a vase on their
peaceful faces. Peace fled at that, and so did Norah.

CHAPTER X. THE LAST DAY

"Now then, Harry, are you ready?"

"Coming," said Harry's cheerful voice. He appeared on the verandah,
endeavouring to cram a gigantic apple into his pocket.

"Norah's," he said, in response to Jim's lifted eyebrows. "Don't know if
she means to eat it in sections or not--it certainly doesn't mean to go
into my pocket as it is." He desisted from his efforts. "Try it in the
crown of your hat, old man."

"Thanks--my hat's got all it knows to hold my brains," retorted Jim.
"You can't take that thing. Here, Norah," as that damsel appeared on the
step, "how do you imagi