s she thought necessary; and he went
and got his things and put them on himself, giving her as little trouble
as possible.

Fanny was rapid in all her movements, and never dawdled over her toilet,
so that she was quickly ready.

Norman on going into the hall met the laird, who had just come back from
a long day's fishing excursion, with a basketful of fine trout.

"Well, my laddie, I wish you had gone with me, for you would have seen
some good sport," he observed. "I was sorry that you did not keep to
your promise."

"I will behave properly another time," answered Norman; "I know I was
obstinate and naughty for not doing as you wished."

"Well, laddie, I am glad to hear you say that, and I hope we shall have
many a day's fishing together," was the answer.

"Thank you, Mr Maclean," said Norman. "I want to try and do as I am
told. If you had taken me with you I should not have killed Fanny's
poor little bird."

"What do you mean?" asked the laird.

Then Norman told him all that had occurred, adding--

"And I wish you would beat me, Mr Maclean, for I am sure I deserve it."

"Boys only are whipped who are obstinate, and are not sorry for what
they have done, and just to teach them right from wrong when they do not
know it," answered the laird. "I am glad to see that you are sorry, and
that you do know that you did wrong; so, laddie, I cannot oblige you,
you see, unless Fanny asks me."

"Oh, she will not ask you, for she has forgiven me, and is so kind, and
wants to forget all about it," said Norman bursting into tears.

"That is just like her, the sweet little creature," said the laird to
himself, adding aloud, "If your sister has forgiven you, and you are
sorry for what you have done, I have no reason to be angry or to whip
you, so, my laddie, we will not talk of that any more. At the same
time, I do not advise you to try and forget the matter, but just always
think how kind your sister is, and try to please her, and be as kind to
her as possible."

While the laird retired to dress, Norman went into the drawing-room. No
one was there. He did not know how to amuse himself. He wished that he
could read; but he had not yet made sufficient progress to enable him to
find any pleasure in a book. He hunted about for some of Fanny's
picture-books, but she had taken them upstairs, with the exception of
one which he did not care much about. For want of a better, however, he
took it to the table, and, clambe