rusie knew as well as he did. And he
felt rather ashamed when he saw the hurt expression that came to her
face. But Helen really must be taught that there was a great
difference between a little girl of eight who had never been away from
home in her life and a boy of twelve who had been to school. But it
was not always easy to snub Helen.

"You are silly, Hal," she said. "Just because you have been to school
for one term, you fancy that you are too big to play with us. Such
nonsense."

Well, of course, that led to a sharp answer from Hal. Helen replied
again, and a hot wrangle went on across the breakfast table.

"Come, come, Master Hal," said nurse at last--for though Helen had
certainly begun this quarrel, it was generally Hal who had done so
since he came home--"what would your father and mother say if they were
at home and heard you? They would not think that you had been very
kind to your brothers and sisters since you came back."

"I wish they were at home," said Hal, suddenly flaming out, "and then I
should have my meals with them, instead of being shut up with all of
you. I hate having my meals in the nursery. I am not a little boy any
longer, and I don't see why I should."

There was a moment's dead silence after this outburst, and all the
others gazed wonderingly at Hal. They were astonished that he should
have dared to speak in that rebellious tone to nurse. She, however,
looked neither surprised nor angry.

"Very well, Master Hal," she said; "if that is all your grievance, it
is easily put to rights. You shall have your meals in the schoolroom,
if you like. I can't let you have them in the dining-room, because it
would make extra work, and the parlour-maid is away. But Ann can
easily carry in what I send you from here."

[Illustration: Tommy]

That was not at all what Hal wanted. He was too proud, however, and
also far too sulky, to say any more on the subject. He was glad when
nurse rose and said grace, and he was at liberty to leave the nursery.

"One minute, Master Hal," she said, as he was hurrying to the door;
"have you forgotten that this is Saturday and pocket-money day? Wait
while I get out my purse and pay you all."

Drusie watched him anxiously. Would he remember the birthday feast,
and hand her the shilling, or would he keep it himself? Alas! Jim had
been right, and she wrong. He received the shilling with a muttered
word of thanks, and slipping it into his pocket