overed;
but he dare not go near him without his whip, for Trusty was apt to
snarl if he attempted to catch him.

"What can Trusty be about?" she exclaimed, going towards her garden.

Norman followed, though he would rather have run away. As he went on he
picked up some stones, which the gardener had dug up out of a newly-made
bed. He was just going to throw one at the dog, when Fanny turning
round saw him and held his hand; while Trusty, scratching away more
vehemently than ever, caught hold of a piece of white muslin, which he
had exposed to view, and dragged forth poor Miss Lucy sadly dirtied and
disfigured. Norman let the stones drop from his hands in dismay.

"You did it! I know you did! You buried her when she was not dead--
though you had cut her head off--you naughty, wicked, bad boy," cried
Fanny bestowing several slaps on her brother's face ere she rushed
forward to pick up her doll.

Fanny's tears fell fast while she endeavoured to brush off the black
earth from poor Miss Lucy's face, and shook her muslin frock; but still
a great deal of earth remained about her hair, and in her eyes and
mouth. Poor Fanny lost all control of herself as she gazed at the sad
spectacle. Norman stood by unmoved though he did not like the boxes on
the ears he had received. Again Fanny flew at him and repeated her
blows, when Trusty began to bark, eager to assist his young mistress,
and very sure that she was doing right.

Norman on this, taking fright, ran along the path towards the house as
fast as he could go, Trusty barking at his heels, and Fanny following
him. The boy shrieked as he ran, crying louder and louder.

His voice reached his mamma's ears, and she hurried out, fearing that
some accident had happened. Mrs Leslie also came out; and at the same
moment Captain Vallery arrived. Norman rushed up to them, shrieking out
that Trusty was going to bite him, and that Fanny had been beating him
black and blue.

Fanny came up directly afterwards, the tears dropping from her eyes, her
face flushed, and still bearing the traces of her unusual anger, while
her sobs prevented her from explaining what had happened, or defending
herself. All she could do, was to hold up her doll, and point to
Norman.

"He did it, he did it!" then her tears gushed forth afresh.

"She beat me, she beat me!" retorted Norman.

"I am afraid you both have been very naughty," said Mrs Vallery.

"You know I never allow Norman to be beat