Dick

very much agitated, poor thing. She could not bear to check her brother, though she was well-nigh terrified to think of his attempting such an expedition; and no great wonder, considering his utter helplessness. Even Edward began, on second thoughts, to get frightened, but he promised to consider the matter, and consult with Ralph. pooh-poohed all idea of risk. He was sure that a big barge-a real barge—safely decked, could be towed to the yard-wharf; that nothing could be easier than to run the chair on it, tow or row it across, and run the chair off when it reached the island. Tommy's thoughts flew to the island. 'We must make the paths wider and smoother. Uncle, you must wait a day or two, and let us get it ready for you.'

'Very well. I will give you one day to consult with Ralph, and two days more to widen the paths. Then, if I can, I will come, and sister shall come too!'

'Oh, brother, do be careful, and not run foolish hazards! We have been very happy without the island for many years now!'

'Yes; but I want to see the boys' work. I want to go, like a baby,' cried Mr. Lawrence, laughing.

'And you shall come,' said Dick.

But Edward turned gravely to his aunt. Aunt,' he said, 'I will talk to Ralph, and we will think carefully. We shall be very, very glad to have uncle on the island, but he shall not come if there is risk; indeed, he shall not.'

'Very well, Edward, I will try and trust you.'

'Yes,' cried her brother, we will trust Edward. Dick! you dear young scatter-brain! thank you heartily for your ready welcome.

you also when you learn to think.'

We will trust

L

STABILITY VERSUS ABILITY.

EARN to think, indeed! and to be called

a scatter-brain! I should like to know

why?' said Richard to himself, as he followed his brothers, on the following morning, to seek for and consult Ralph. 'I am sure I could get uncle over without any harm, just as well as anybody else!'

However, Ralph, when consulted, found more difficulty in the project. He thought it would be easy enough to get his master on board from the yard, and afterwards to tow him across; but the landing on the island struck him as almost impossible, anything like a slip or a fall being so very dangerous. Edward inquired if animals were ever embarked in the barges, and if so, how? Ralph replied that a platform was run out from the yard

to the barge, and the animals were pushed along upon it. Then Edward inquired, if the platform had rails, could not his uncle's chair be pushed along it to the boat, and pushed off it to the island? Pushed along it to the boat would require care, but was easy enough; but at the island there was no even landing-place on which to rest the platform, that the chair might be wheeled off. Would not the shore do? Edward asked again. But Ralph thought not, unless they could fasten the boat more steadily than he believed was possible. However, he would borrow a barge and try, when the boys were present to try also.

We have three days to manage it in,' cried Edward. 'Tommy, we must go and clear the paths. I wish we could finish the arbour, but the paths. must come first. Richard, will you help?'

'No!' persisted Dick. If uncle is coming, I must get on with my castle, or he will see that I have been doing nothing.'

'But your path must be cleared as well as the others. You may as well help about that.'

'No, Edward, I can't. You ought to remember what a job I have in hand. I must stick to it, or it will never be done. It is all very well for you and

Tom, who have so much less work to do; I can't

possibly help.'

'But how is uncle to get up to you? You can't expect us to make your path, if we do all the others, and you won't help.'

'You'll do better for a change, and a little company, Master Richard; if you'll take my advice,' observed Ralph.

'No, I shall not-let me alone!' said Dick impatiently. I can't help; I will do my own path in time, and it will be a much wider, grander path than yours; but if I have not time now, uncle must stay at the bottom. I can't help it, I can't do everything at once.'

Richard jumped into his boat with much annoyance in his manner, as he said this; and his brothers ceased to bother him, seeing that it was useless. They all pushed off for their island. Arrived there, Richard started as usual alone for his peak; but the other two waited to inspect the landing. They were in the habit of bringing their boats to shore by a rock, but it was too uneven to allow of the platform being firmly planted on it; otherwise the spot was favourable enough. Large trees stood conveniently near, to which the boat could be