ny had heard, made her eager to set off that
morning to visit the old sailor and his grandchild.

"May we have the carriage, Mr Maclean?" she asked. "I should so like
to take little Robby some toys, or picture-books, or fruit, or something
that he would like it would make him happy, and, I hope, please the old
man."

"We shall be very glad to give you some things to take," said Mrs
Maclean, "and though I do not think we have any toys, we may find some
picture-books, at all events we can send some fruit and cakes which will
be welcome."

"Oh, thank you, thank you," exclaimed Fanny, "if we go as soon as we
have had our reading, we shall be back by luncheon-time, and now I think
I know the way too well to run the risk of losing it."

"You must take care not to tumble into the water again though," said
Mrs Vallery.

"I will take care not to do that, mamma; indeed, there is no risk of it,
as old Alec showed us a safe way across the stream, and I can easily
carry Norman over, so that there will be no chance either of his
tumbling in, if he does not kick about while I have him in my arms."

"Will you behave properly, and do as your sister tells you?" asked Mrs
Vallery, turning to Norman.

"I always behave properly," answered the young gentleman, looking
indignant at the idea of his ever doing otherwise.

"Norman will be very good I am sure," said Fanny, fearing that any
difficulty might arise to prevent the intended excursion.

Just as they left the breakfast-room, however, Sandy Fraser came to the
door.

"It's a fine day for the young folks to take a row on the loch, and so I
just came up to see if they were willing to go," he said, as he pulled
off his bonnet and wished the laird and ladies good morning.

"Oh, I shall like that much better than bumping over the moor in the
little cart," exclaimed Norman. "Fanny, I am going with Sandy Fraser on
the loch, and you can pay your visit to old Alec and his stupid little
grandson another day. It will be much better fun to row about on the
water, and I will take a rod and line, and I am sure I shall catch I
don't know how many fish in a short time."

These remarks were not heard by the rest of the party.

"Mamma, do let me go with Sandy Fraser," exclaimed Norman, as Mrs
Vallery appeared from the breakfast-room. "Fanny does not care about
the trip over the moor I am sure, and we shall both like a row in the
boat much better."

"In that case, as Sandy has come up