he ladies, and tell them that I would have been
happy to have had a talk with them if they had wished, but I must go
back to look after my little boy, for I never like to be away from him
longer than I can help. Bless you, young lady! it does my heart good to
see you, so pray come and pay me a visit whenever you can."

The old man hurried away, and Fanny ran in to show her bird, hoping that
no questions would be asked her about Norman's behaviour till she had
persuaded him, as she wished to do, to tell his own story, so that old
Alec and Robby might be properly thanked for the service they had
rendered him.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

THE PET BIRD.

"O mamma! granny! Mrs Maclean! see what a beautiful bird old Alec has
given me!" exclaimed Fanny, as she ran into the drawing-room, and went
round exhibiting the little prisoner, first to one and then to the
other. "He has been so kind too, he showed us all his other birds, and
gave us such an interesting account of the way he got one of them, but I
would rather have this one than all the others."

The bird was duly admired.

"Where is Norman?" asked Mrs Vallery.

"He ran into the house before me, I suppose he will soon be here."

Norman, however, did not come immediately, and at last Mrs Vallery went
to look for him. She found him in his room rubbing away at his clothes.

"What has happened?" she asked; "why did you not come into the
drawing-room at once?"

"I tumbled down in the mud and dirtied my clothes, so I wanted to clean
them," answered Norman, and he said no more.

"That was awkward of you, but as they appear dry, you might have come in
to see us all as soon as you returned," observed Mrs Vallery; "how did
you manage to tumble down?"

"That stupid little brat Robby ran after me, and Fanny would not come
home. I can take very good care of myself, and so I don't want her to
go out with me any more."

"I am afraid, Norman, you were not behaving well. I must learn from
Fanny what occurred," said Mrs Vallery. "I will assist you to change
your clothes; these are certainly not fit to appear in at dinner."

Norman was very taciturn while his mamma was dressing him. As soon as
she had done so she led him downstairs.

To his grandmother's questions he made no reply, and she consequently
guessed that something had gone wrong. When Fanny who had gone upstairs
to dress, returned, Mrs Vallery inquired how Norman had managed to
tumble into the mud.

"I wish