lly!'

Betty dashed her small hand across her eyes, and threw up her head
defiantly. 'That's all my story,' she said.

'Oh, what a stupid story! You must make a proper ending.'

'You shall go on! we'll make you!'

'Did the angel get her proper clothes again?'

'Yes,' said Betty, with a little sigh; 'she put them on and went up to
heaven. And God asked her what she'd done. And she told Him she
thought the little girl would like to come to heaven, if He would let
her.'

There was a little break in Betty's voice; she slid down from her
corner, and rolled over on the floor, her face hidden from the others.
Then in a second she called out, 'I see a mouse! Let us catch him!'

The children were on their feet directly, and a regular scramble
ensued, Betty the most boisterous of them all. And when nurse came in
a little later, she found the little story-teller in the act of
crawling across the oaken beam in the centre of the room, to the
intense delight of those watching her below.

Nurse caught her breath at the daring feat, but waited till she had
accomplished it in safety, then caught her in her arms, and taking her
off, gave her a good whipping, and Betty's spirits totally subsided for
the rest of the evening.

CHAPTER IV

Adventures

The visit to the wood came off the day after. Nurse arrayed all her
little charges in large holland overalls, and sent them out into the
fields for the afternoon. And the little party set out in good spirits,
Bobby and Billy tramping sturdily along, under the firm conviction that
they were going to meet with wild beasts, and go through the most
harrowing adventures.

It was a long walk, but they reached it at last, and came to a standstill
when they saw the ditch and the thick hedge that surrounded it.

'There's a castle and a princess inside, so they don't like people to
come in,' asserted Douglas; 'but we'll find a hole somewhere and creep
through.'

And this was soon done. The children looked round them with delight at
the little winding paths, the banks of green moss, and the thick
overhanging bushes and trees, that seemed so full of life and interest.
Douglas was in his element.

'We'll find a place we must call home first, and then we'll see what food
we've got.'

The foot of an old oak tree was chosen. Bits of cake, pudding, some
biscuits, and a few lumps of sugar were then produced from different
pockets, and these were given over to Douglas, who, wr