66

Faith, and I'd a good mind to tell her 'twas no business of hers, only I didn't want to be rude. I hate prying folks, they always want to know everything about everybody."

66

Perhaps you will think me prying if I ask whether you are going to Drayton?" enquired she.

66

Indeed we shall not," cried Jackie; "yes, we are going to Drayton, to stay a week with Mrs. Graham, of Ivy Cottage."

"I am going to Ivy Cottage," said Miss Lane, “but my stay is arranged for a month."

66

'Faith, and don't I wish we'd as long," returned Pat; "but it's no use, they only allow us a week from the Cathedral."

66

'We are very near the sea, now," observed Violet, and as she spoke the train began to slacken. Presently it came to a stand, and their ears were regaled with the word Dray-ton! Dray-ton!" shouted in a voice not the most melodious of its kind, but nevertheless welcome.

The boys sprang up; but perceiving that their new friend had several packages, they immediately proffered assistance.

"I am much obliged," said she, smiling, "but I have no wish to play the same part as our old lady, and torment you with my belongings."

Pat, however, had seized upon a wrapper, and Jackie on a satchel, so there was nothing for it but to submit.

The omnibus was in waiting, so the three availed themselves of it; and were driven to Ivy Cottage, where Mrs. Graham received them.

Oh, Miss Lane," she said, "I am very pleased to see

you. Jane," to the servant, "attend to Miss Lane's luggage."

"And are you Master Spenser?" to Pat.

"Faith, no," replied he.

"I am," put in Jackie," and this is my friend."

66

Oh, is your papa quite well? come in, I'll have your things taken upstairs. It is now half-past four, when

should you like tea?"

"I think we might have it now," said Jackie,

"then

after tea
the beach and paddle before bed-time."

could see to the box, and we might go down to

They were now ushered into a small sitting-room on the ground floor.

"This is to be your room, young gentlemen," said the servant-maid, "tea is quite ready."

66

Faith, but who is to pour it out?" asked Pat of Jackie, when the door closed.

"You may, if you like," was the answer.

The lad then seized the tea-pot, but without calculating that the handle might be, at least, warm.

A howl and a crash aroused Master Jackie from his reverie near the window.

"What on earth is up ?" he cried.

"Faith, but the thing is as hot as fire, and I've burnt my hand. I'll be afther having no more to do with pouring out tea.”

“Well, then I must," and careful little Jackie wrapped up his hand in his handkerchief before attempting the feat, which he performed very nicely.

Matters were now progressing favourably, when all on a sudden Pat, who had been studying a picture which adorned the wall, cried out, "Sure Jack, but the Drayton folks must have their eyes wrong side upwards, or they can't see straight, or something; as true as I am here that picture is framed head downwards. Look Jack, the ground is where the sky should be; well, I never, they are cures, the callants, not to see that."

And there, true enough, it was; by some freak or oversight the said picture presented itself to the view as described, the ground where the sky should be and vicé versa. Tea finished, both boys trudged off to unpack their clothes.

66

'Well, what a bother, what on earth are we to do?'' grumbled Jack; "why, there isn't a set of drawers, or anything to put one's clothes in."

"Stuff them under the bed," suggested Pat.

"And nice they'd look when they came out, covered with dust. We shall have to keep them in the box; and look how tiresome to be obliged to unpack every time one wants anything. If this be lodging-house accommodation, I can't say I admire it.”

"Let's go out," said Pat, "and have a go on the sands.'' "All right."

When they arrived at the sea they found the tide just coming in, bringing with it whole heaps of sea-weed and other débris, which it scattered on the beach.

66

My, what a lark!" cried Jackie, as the waves sported around and over his pretty little feet.

A squeal from his companion arrested his attention,

a lively young crab having, in a facetious humour, caught that gentleman's foot in a loving embrace.

"Sure, but if ye think ye're going to be afther swallowing me, ye'll find ye're mighty mistaken. Oh, ye needn't nip so hard, get off with ye," and he kicked and shouted, but all to no purpose.

"Wait a minute, I'll bring my knife," called his friend, "and teach the gentleman better manners." After some little trouble he succeeded in forcing the creature to relinquish his hold, much to Pat's relief; who, as he said, "liked prying old dames and crabs best at a distance."

'I believe I'll be afther putting some tallow on this toe," remarked he, when they gained their sleeping apartment. "Tallow, I wonder what next! don't do any such thing, it will kill you."

"Not it; why I once heard of an Esquimaux boy, who ate fourteen pounds of tallow candles, and it didn't even make him ill."

"I daresay, but then you are not an Esquimaux; don't do it, Pat, to please me."

66

Very well, I won't, old fellow, for fear you should have to fetch the doctor. You're as careful as an old woman, Jack."

"It's the better plan, so you'll discover in time, old boy." "Shall I? Well, Jack, when I do I'll send you word just a line on a post-card, or something to let you know, so it's a bargain."

Next morning they rose with the lark, and went for a bathe before breakfast. How delightful it was! and how the pair enjoyed the pure fresh air of the early morning

that braced their nerves and brought the roses to their cheeks. Pat, especially, was nearly wild with pleasure, and ran races with the waves; springing lightly over their snowy crests as they broke, and tossing the salt water over Jackie, who, of course, repaid him in kind.

After breakfast they again came out, and on the beach spied Miss Lane, to whom they raised their hats, wishing her "Good morning."

66

"Good morning," said Violet, shaking hands with each; may I ask if you are strangers here ?"

66

66

'Yes,” replied Jackie; "We have never been before."

Well, there is such a pretty place a mile or two down the coast, called Drayton Cave, if you would like to go any day I will take you."

66

"when will you go,

To-day, if you like, the weather is lovely, just the kind of day for such an expedition; only you must carry some refreshment with you, and also a torch."

"A torch," exclaimed Pat; "what for?"

"Because the cave is dark, and if we wish to see the interior, we must provide lights. If you decide to go to-day, we had better start at once."

Some refreshment and a torch were soon procured, and off they set on the smooth sands.

"What a glorious morning," remarked Violet, and glorious it most assuredly was,-a deep blue sky, flecked with a few feathery clouds, the air transparent and perfectly. motionless, the sea calm and glassy; while to their right rose richly-wooded hills, interspersed with fertile valleys;