nd Mrs. Guppy
was malicious because the candles sputtered and wouldn't light, and,
as usual, determined that I had done it; and Fudge taxed me with it
this morning."

"I wish," said Hamilton, emphatically, "I could discover the author of
this shameful piece of business. It was vexatious enough in the first
place, but this is painful to us all. Frank, every one knows you."

"Doctor best of all," put in Frank.

"I will give myself up to discovering who has done it," said Hamilton.

"You had better give yourself up to finishing your poem," said Reginald;
"for it's my humble opinion if you haven't found it now, your eyes won't
discover the clue, if you were Argus himself."

The others then began a rather noisy debate on the impropriety of
their master's behavior; and little Alfred, finding his brother was
not speaking, ventured to remind him of his promise. Contrary to his
usual habit, Hamilton turned quite crossly to him:

"What an idle fellow you are! Why don't you get _Lempriere_ and find
them out for yourself?--you ought not to be beginning now."

"I tried, Edward, but I couldn't understand it, and it went out of my
head. I want to know about Cecropia again--I forget what country it was,
Edward," said the child, timidly, noticing an ominous reddening of his
brother's face.

"A great deal of use it is giving you any information, is it not, sir?
I have a great mind to make you write out every word I say. And pray
what else have you forgotten?"

"Not _forgotten_ any thing," said Alfred, meekly; "but I wanted to
know, please Edward, who was Hannibal's father, and whether it was
true about Hannibal's making the rocks red hot, and pouring vinegar
on them? I don't think it could, for I don't know where he could
get so much."

"A great deal he carried in his own countenance," said Frank, "and
the rest was made from the wine supplied for the Carthaginian officers.
There's nothing like white-wine vinegar, Alfred; and the Carthaginians
were renowned for parting with luxuries on an emergency."

"Now I know that's your nonsense," said Alfred, looking very puzzled.
"And, please Edward, who was Philomela and--"

"That's enough--one at a time!" exclaimed Hamilton; "get _Lempriere_,
and my Roman History, and you shall look them out with me. It's to be
hoped you are not dreaming of a prize."

"Poor infant!" said Salisbury; "it's hard work, I know, to remember
the difference between those heathen chaps."

Alfred had just