own, not
only on the terraces, but as far as the turf was broken.

This was quite a curiosity to Bertie, who followed Albert to the field
where the men were cutting out pieces of turf about one foot in width
and two feet in length; then back again to see that they were laid
smoothly upon the well prepared ground, and nicely hammered down with
large flat, wooden mallets.

With his exercise in the open air, Albert had lost something of his
flesh; but his spirits were never better; and in his management of
men, Mr. Curtis thought he had never known his equal. His gay good
humor seemed to inspire all in his employ with new life, while his
firm, clear manner of giving orders convinced them that he intended to
be obeyed.

It was often a severe trial to Bertie to leave for school just as the
men were engaged in some job which he particularly wished to see; but
mamma explained that if he wished to be a useful man he must lay in a
stock of knowledge while he was young.

One morning Mr. Curtis proposed to go to a nursery of trees near the
city for the purchase of currant, gooseberry, blackberry and other
bushes, together with a variety of ornamental shrubs.

Bertie's curiosity was greatly excited to visit such a place, which he
fancied must be almost like Eden.

His mamma shook her head, saying:

"You have had a long vacation, my dear. School is the first duty now."

The little fellow's lip quivered; and for a moment he looked quite
vexed; but while his parents with anxious hearts waited to see
whether he would submit cheerfully to parental authority, his brow
cleared, and he exclaimed:

"You always do know best, mamma. I should admire to go; but I dare say
papa will take me some time."

Papa smiled, but said nothing. Mamma drew her son to her side, and
kissed her approval of his conduct.

In five minutes he was trotting Whitefoot out of the yard, his smiles
as bright, and his brow serene as ever.

CHAPTER XIII.

BERTIE'S REWARD.

At noon, Bertie was obliged to hurry through his lunch, in order to be
back in time for the afternoon session, which commenced at one
o'clock, so that it often happened that he did not see his father till
night.

When he came into the house, he was eager to tell his mamma that at
last he had attained the honor of being at the head of the arithmetic
class. He supposed of course his father had gone to the city, and did
not therefore enquire for him. He only said:

"Please, m