for the handle of the
carriage-door, replying, "Here, old fellow, let us out. Have you brought
Dumpling?" And Uncle Geoffrey and Beatrice exclaimed, "How d'ye do,
Carey?"

When Alexander had succeeded in making his exit, Henrietta beheld him
shaking hands with a figure not quite his own height, and in its rough
great-coat not unlike a small species of bear. Uncle Geoffrey and Fred
handed out the ladies, and sought their appurtenances in the dark, and
Henrietta began to give Alex credit for a portion of that which maketh
man, when he shoved his brother, admonishing him that there was Aunt
Mary, upon which Carey advanced, much encumbered with sheepish shyness,
presented a great rough driving-glove, and shortly and bluntly replied
to the soft tones which kindly greeted him, and inquired for all at
home.

"Is the Hall carriage come?" asked Alex, and, receiving a gruff
affirmative, added, "then, Aunt Mary, you had better come to it while
Uncle Geoffrey looks after the luggage," offered his arm with tolerable
courtesy, and conducted her to the carriage. "There," said he, "Carey
has driven in our gig, and I suppose Fred and I had better go back with
him."

"Is the horse steady?" asked his aunt, anxiously.

"Dumple? To be sure! Never does wrong! do you, old fellow?" said Alex,
patting his old friend.

"And no lamps?"

"O, we know the way blindfold, and you might cross Sutton Heath a dozen
times without meeting anything but a wheelbarrow-full of peat."

"And how is the road now? It used to be very bad in my time."

"Lots of ruts," muttered Carey to his brother, who interpreted it, "A
few ruts this winter, but Dumpling knows all the bad places."

By this time Uncle Geoffrey came up, and instantly perceiving the state
of things, said, "I say, Freddy, do you mind changing places with me? I
should like to have a peep at Uncle Roger before going up to the house,
and then Dumpling's feelings won't be hurt by passing the turn to Sutton
Leigh."

Fred could not object, and his mother rejoiced in the belief that Uncle
Geoffrey would take the reins, nor did Beatrice undeceive her, though,
as the vehicle rattled past the carriage at full speed, she saw
Alexander's own flourish of the whip, and knew that her papa was letting
the boys have their own way. She had been rather depressed in the
morning on leaving her mother, but as she came nearer home her spirits
mounted, and she was almost wild with glee. "Aunt Mary, do you know