o that; I did not like it the last time,"
said Norman.

"I suspect that what the boy wants is careful training to turn out
better than he promises to do at present," thought the laird. "He has
been allowed to do what he chooses, and has not been shown by the
argument of the rod, as Solomon advises, when he has chosen to do wrong.
I wish his father would let me take him in hand for a few months, I
think something might be made of him."

"Come along, laddie," said the honest laird aloud, "we will get my
fishing-tackle, but we will not carry a big basket this time. I will
show you how to string up your fish to carry them home without one."

The laird was quickly equipped, for his fishing-tackle was always kept
in readiness for use, and Norman being allowed the honour of carrying
his landing-net, they took their way down to the loch. The laird told
Norman to jump into the boat, and lifting the grapnel which held her to
the bank, he stepped in after him, then taking the oars he pulled away
up the loch.

"What! can you row?" exclaimed Norman. "I thought only sailors and
boatmen could do that."

"You have a good many things to learn, laddie. I could pull an oar when
I was no bigger than you are. It is what every English boy ought to be
able to do, and I will teach you if you try to behave yourself
properly."

"I should like to learn; can you teach me now?" asked Norman.

"I cannot teach you and fish at the same time," said the laird.
"Besides these oars are too heavy for you, but I will get a small one
made that you can handle. Remember, however, that I make the promise
only on condition that you are a good boy, and try to please not only me
but everybody else."

"I will try," said Norman, but still he did not forget his evil
intentions against Fanny and her bird.

People often promise that they will be good, but they must have an
honest desire to be so, and must seek for help from whence alone they
can obtain it, in order to enable them to keep their promise. Norman
had never even tried to be good, but had always followed his own
inclinations, regardless of the pain or annoyance he inflicted on even
those who were most kind to him. He could appear very amiable when he
was pleased, and had everything his own way, but that is not sufficient.
A person should be amiable when opposed, and even when hardly treated
should return good for evil.

He sat in the boat talking away very pleasantly to Mr Maclean, who