ome of Master Clement all this time? It is time
Martha was in the dining-room. I will go and see."

She went into the nursery; but it was deserted. She called, but
received no answer. A sound of voices from the green room drew her
there, and the door opened on as merry a game as one could wish to see.
Claude sat in his usual place in the arm-chair, and scattered on the
carpet before him were a number of pictured and lettered blocks which
his father had brought home. These Master Clement was examining with
much pretended gravity. He was looking for the letter C, which Christie
had pointed out to him. Whenever he made a mistake and pointed out the
wrong letter, he punished himself by creeping on his hands and knees
under Claude's crib; and whenever Christie's nod and smile proclaimed
that he was right, he vaulted over the crib, with such laughter and
grimaces, and such a shaking of his tangled curls over his face, that
Claude laughed and clapped his hands from sympathy.

Miss Gertrude leaned over the chair and watched the play.

"How noisy you are, Clement!" she said, at last.

"Yes; but it is nice noise. I'm very good to-day, Tudie."

"Are you? I am very glad to hear it, and very much surprised too."

"Are you cross to-day?"

"Why? What makes you ask?"

"Oh, because you haven't been here."

"I have been busy writing a letter to your mother."

"Did you tell her that I am a good boy? I am a very good boy; and so is
Claudie."

A leap and a grimace more astonishing than any he had yet accomplished
sent Claude into fits of laughter.

"I declare," said Miss Gertrude, looking down upon him, "I don't believe
your mother would know you if she were to see you now! Why, there is
quite a colour in his lips. He really seems better, doesn't he?"

"Yes, and he has been very good and easily amused all day, though he has
not been able to go out."

There was silence for a time. Both girls stood watching the game that
was going on. But soon Christie said:

"If you please, Miss Gertrude, will you show me that stitch again? I
have quite lost it."

"Yes," said Miss Gertrude; "I will show you. It is quite easy."

"Yes, I dare say it is. I am afraid I am very dull at learning it."

She was watching the expert fingers of Miss Gertrude admiringly. It was
a piece of work she had commenced long before, but getting tired of it,
she had offered to teach Christie, who was to finish it.

"It is very pretty," sa