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"You see, Ernest, I was right," Punch then said, “and I suppose," he continued, speaking to the maid, "that you know they're not only drawings." This was also known.

"Then, Ernie," Punch soon began again, "I believe they're in that box, for it looks just as if it would have presents in it," and as he spoke he pointed to a large travelling case.

The boys then went into the drawing-room to speak to their aunt again.

"I think you're looking very well, Aunt," Punch said to her as he stood before her.

"And I am sure I can return the compliment," was her reply.

"And how do you think Ernest is looking?" he asked. "Not quite as well as I do, does he, and yet he eats well, doesn't he, mother, and carpenters well and does his lessons even better than I do," which latter remark, however, did not say very much for Ernest.

"Can he talk as much as you?" asked Aunt Violet smiling.

"I think he can when he likes. Ernest is never considered deficient in talking."

"How do you get all those long words, Punch," Ernest asked as the boys then went to wash their hands for dinner, which meal had been put off until their aunt arrived.

"They come," Punch said; "but perhaps they wouldn't come so easily if grandmother didn't live

with us. She says such a lot of them, and then I catch them from her. I expect, Ernie, you're not quite as observant as I am."

"Ernest looks pale," Aunt Violet said, whilst removing her hat and cloak. "I hoped to have seen him much stronger-looking by now."

"He is always pale," his mother answered, " and yet Dr laynard says that there is nothing really the matter with him. He thinks that change of air will bring roses into his cheeks. Of course you see him at a disadvantage beside Punch, who is so outof-the-way strong looking."

"That boy is just the same," Aunt Violet said smiling.

"Yes, not an atom improved, I am afraid,” was his mother's reply.

"He's a splendid little chap," his aunt then said, "and I am quite sure that I should not like him improved half as much. How fond dear mother is of the boy, too! Her letters are always full of Punch's doings and sayings, and how well she is looking also!"

"I am thankful to say she is very well, but I hope that between you all you will not spoil my Punch."

"We will try not to do so."

"I wonder who will help me to unpack my boxes," Aunt Violet said at dinner.

Punch kicked Ernest under the table, and both boys said readily that they would.

"But which box shall we unpack first?" Punch

then asked.

"You shall choose," was the answer.

"We could choose rather better, though," Punch said, "if we knew what was in them.

But as we don't, we'd rather you'd choose yourself, wouldn't we, Ernest?"

And Aunt Violet, when she chose, selected the large travelling-case which Punch had guessed was likely to contain the presents. And Punch was right, for almost at the top of the box there they were, and such beauties!

"May I fetch the little ones to have theirs at once?" Punch asked, his face beaming with excitement. "Oh! they will be pleased," he went on, "for they've never seen foreign dolls in their lives before, and these are such splendid ones, and off he ran for his little sisters even before he had seen his own and Ernie's presents, for they did so like a new doll.

And all were beauties. There was a large scrap-book for Ernest, made of olive-wood, full of beautiful photographs of different countries, the very thing he would have chosen had he been asked his choice, also a compact and "lovely" tool-box. And for Punch there was a little stand also made of olive-wood, fitted up with a knife, paper-knife, pen and pencil (so useful for his letters, he said) and a blotting-book the cover of which was again of olive,

The boys' happy faces and grateful kisses repaid their aunt for the trouble she had taken to select what would give them pleasure. "I felt as sure as possible, do you know, father," Punch said later on, "that Aunt Violet would bring us something; I know her so well. You have got a good sister. I only hope when my sisters are grown up that they'll bring my children such useful presents, for these are really worth having. If they do I shall invite them pretty often to my house, but I shouldn't like mother to live with us as grandmother does."

"Why not, Punch?" his father asked in astonish

ment.

"Well, father," he replied, "because grandmother lives with us because her husband is dead,” and, he went on, looking very grave indeed as he spoke, "I shouldn't like my mother's husband to be dead at all, because that would be you, father."

"May God spare me long enough, Punch," his father replied, "to see you grow up a good and useful man."

"And a very learned and leading one, father," he added, "in our profession."

Mr Capel laughed, and wondered who could help doing so when Punch looked serious as he did

now.

CHAPTER IV.

THE SKETCH-BOOK.

F only Aunt Violet would teach me to draw,"

"IF

Ernest said to his brother after "Goodnight" had been said the evening of that lady's

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arrival and the two boys were going up to bed. "If only she would I should be so awfully glad, and I believe I could learn quickly because I like it so much. Don't you think I have got a little talent for it, Punch?" he asked, anxiously.

"Not a little," was the reply, but ever so much, "and as you are so anxious to learn, if I were you I should just ask her to teach me. I'll suggest it to her if you like," he added.

C

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