"`I would not enter on my list of friends
(Though graced with polished manners and fine sense,
Yet wanting sensibility) the man
Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.'

"They refer rather to cruelty to animals, but they occurred to me just
now when thinking of Norman, and we must try to get him to learn them,
as I am afraid that he does not consider that all God's creatures have
feeling, and that he would carelessly injure them if they came in his
way."

"I fear that at present he would do so, but then, he is very little,"
said Fanny, "and perhaps if he learns those lines they may teach him to
be kinder than he now is to dumb animals; still, I am sure he would not
have the heart to hurt little Pecksy."

Poor Fanny judged of Norman by herself, notwithstanding the way he had
so constantly behaved. She little thought of what he was capable of
doing, still less of what he would become capable as he grew older,
unless he was altogether changed.

Fanny had just returned Pecksy to his cage when the laird and Norman
entered. Norman boasted of the way in which he had handled his rod.

"Mr Maclean says that I shall soon become a first-rate fly-fisher," he
exclaimed. "I should have caught some fish to-day if I had had a hook.
He would not let me put one on for fear I should hook him or myself, but
I am determined to have one next time, and then you will see I shall
bring back a whole basketful of fish."

Fanny did not laugh at what Norman said, though she felt much inclined
to do so. She remembered too well the effect her laughter had produced
on the previous evening, and she was most anxious not to irritate his
feelings.

The laird had now, as he called it, taken Norman in hand, and for
several days allowed the boy to accompany him when he went fishing on
the loch. On each occasion he made him practise with his little rod and
line, but would not permit him to put on a hook, in spite of the earnest
request Norman made that he might be allowed to use one.

"No, laddie, no; not till I see that you can throw a fly with sufficient
skill to entice a fish shall you use a hook while you are with me," he
answered.

His refusal greatly annoyed Norman, who one day, losing his temper,
declared that unless he was allowed to have a hook he would not go out
any more in the boat.

"Very well, laddie, ye maun just stay at home and amuse yourself as best
you can," was the answer he received from the laird, who, taking u