Flora's New Acquaintances-Their Ridicule of Caroline-The Tub Aquarium-Searching for Objects-Actinia- Crabs-Star-Fish-The Castle Hill-Warfare in Olden Times-Modern Advantages—A Comparison between the Rainy Days-A Visit from Flora-Caroline finds some Poly- pidoms-Papa's account of them-Flora neglected by Friendship of Flora and Caroline-Flag Signals-Difference. of Character-Temptation-The Two Gardens-Leaving HomeArrive at Scarborough. LORA and CAROLINE were two little girls whose homes were very near together. They had been playfellows and companions all their lives; both were only children, both were taught at home by their own mammas, and they considered each other almost as sisters. Flora was about half a year older than Caroline, and the most lively and vivacious of the two; but both were affectionate and good tempered, and enjoyed each other's friendship extremely. B The grounds of their pretty homes were adjoining. The house belonging to Flora's father was on rather higher ground than that where Caroline lived, and Flora could see the chimneys and upper windows of the latter rising from the trees which surrounded it, close by the lodge of her father's park. A little gate opened into the park from the other garden, and when Flora saw the active little form of her friend bound through this little gate, she ran down across the park to meet her. If anything prevented Caroline from coming out at the usual time she hung out a white flag from her own room window, and this was understood by Flora to mean, "I cannot come today." A blue flag meant, "Will you come into our garden?" and other colours, striped and varied, meant all sorts of different sentences; for contriving these signals had been a very great amusement to them, and on rainy days they could quite carry on a dialogue. At the happy hour of twelve their lessons ceased, and they usually ran out to play together. One morning an unusual haste to reach each other was displayed. Caroline hurried through the little gate, and Flora rushed down the park so quickly, that when they had grasped each other's hands, they could scarcely speak for want of breath. At last, panting, Flora exclaimed, "What do you think, I have some news!" LEAVING HOME. "So have I," returned Caroline. if I like mine." "But I like mine," cried Flora. you will never guess it rightly; we from home." "Why, so are we," said Caroline. "That is what I did not like to leave you! Do you like to leave me?" "No! but still I like to go; and if you are going too, you know nobody will be left?" "That is true," returned Caroline; "but where are you going?" "We are going to the seaside." "So are we!" Scarborough!" "To Scarborough ?" "Yes! to "How very odd," exclaimed Caroline laughing; "but I daresay our mammas fixed on the same place on purpose that we might still be together." "Very likely," returned Flora, "especially as they are almost as fond of being together as we are. I am very glad! oh, so glad! I do not remember ever being at the seaside." "Now that I know you are going too," said Caroline more quietly, I think I shall like it too, for I have never been at the seaside; but still there are many things which make me sorry to leave home!" "What things?" asked Flora. "Our gardens, for one thing, just as the summer is coming on, and all the plants budding and growing, the roses so beautiful, and all the annual seeds coming up so nicely!" Well, to be sure we shall miss seeing them, but we shall have all sorts of other things instead." "Yes, new things!" returned Caroline, "but I do not know yet whether they will make up to me for my dear plants." "Oh, yes! I think they will," said Flora. "We have pretty much the same flowers every year; they are very nice, and I love them too, especially those that we planted ourselves; but I think I can be quite happy without them for one summer. And what else, Caroline, makes you sorry to go?" "Why, my pony and my ring-doves." "Oh, Caroline! they will all be taken care of. Your Selim will have a good long run in the park, and the doves, I daresay, will scarcely miss you." "But I think they will," said Caroline smiling, "they coo, and look so pleased when I take them their food in the morning. Nice little soft things, I shall miss them at any rate!" "I do not think I shall much miss my pigeons," replied Flora; "they are very tame. Do you know the fantails come to my window every morning, and I let them in, and they hop about the room; but |