to grief, partly, I suppose, because Walter Huntingdon, junior, Esquire
of Flixworth Manor, in the county of Hertfordshire, has refused to put
down his name or have anything to do with it. There--what does the
present company think of this important announcement?"

Amos and his aunt replied by loving smiles; Julia kept her eyes fixed on
some work she had taken up.

"My next announcement," continued Walter, "is of equal interest and
importance. The great firm of Huntingdon, Gregson, and Saunders has
dissolved partnership. What do you say to that?"

Amos left his place at the table, and kneeling down close to his brother
drew him warmly to him, his tears falling fast all the while as he
whispered, "Dear, dear Walter, how happy you have made me!"

"Do you want to hear all about it?" asked the other. "Would you like to
hear my confession?"

"By all means, dear boy," said his aunt, placing a fond hand on the head
of each of the brothers. Julia left her place and crouched down close
to Walter, so that her aunt's hands could include herself in their
gentle pressure.

"Now for it," said Walter, rising and standing erect, with his back to
the fire. "Yesterday," he continued, "as I was riding out before
dinner, I met Saunders and Gregson on horseback. Gregson was riding
Rosebud.--`Well,' said Gregson, `is Rosebud to be yours?'--`Can't afford
it,' I said; `a hundred guineas is too much. I haven't got the money to
spare.'--`No, of course not,' he said; `but you can spare a
guinea.'--`Yes,' I replied; `but that won't buy Rosebud.'--`No,' he
said; `but it will give you a chance of getting her for a
guinea.'--`That's one way,' I said; `but it don't seem the right one to
me. What do you say to swopping Rosebud for my pony? then you'll have
an equivalent, at least if you think so.'--Saunders and he looked at one
another as if they had seen a ghost; and then I said, `Perhaps I can
work out the value. Let me see. Will you give me fifty guineas a year
if I take the place of groom to you? I may earn Rosebud that way in two
years if you give her to me instead of wages.'--My two companions began
to whisper to one another, and to stare at me as if I'd just come out of
an Egyptian mummy-case.--`What's up now?' I said.--`We can't make you
out,' said Saunders; `whatever are you driving at?'--`Oh, I'll soon make
that clear!' I said. `The fact is, gentlemen, I've been led to the
conclusion that raffling isn't right; that it's