'But can you keep her in? leaving you alone here.'

I don't like

'It can't be helped; Amalthée won't come on, so there is nothing else to be done.'

Pauline made for the house as fast as her

legs could carry her.

fast by its horns.

Elizabeth held the goat The thunder was less

loud, and the hail had ceased, but it rained still. Pauline had flown along, and in a minute was back again accompanied by the gardener, who seized the goat's string. After a slight resistance, Amalthée, feeling a strong hand, allowed herself to be led home. Elizabeth and Pauline were tired, and greatly pleased to find, on reaching their room, that their nurse had lighted a good fire and prepared some dry clothes for them.

After such an adventure, the children decided to let their goat rove where she pleased, and not to lead her with a string. Amalthée repaid this mark of confidence by following them about everywhere like a dog;

and if she stopped to eat some blackberry leaves, she made up for lost time by galloping after the children. Farfadet often joined them; and though they had no special love for each other, the two favourites did not quarrel. Mr. de Flavier said the procession looked like a walking Noah's ark.

'A Noah's ark without any father and mother!' answered Harry; 'how amusing it would have been!'

Amalthée liked brambles, but her taste for young cabbage leaves was still stronger and more dangerous. The old leaves, which were rather tough, she disdained utterly; but she had a perfect mania for the others, and seized upon them with avidity. Sometimes the children would take her up to the cabbage-bed in the kitchen garden. Elizabeth would hold the goat by the collar, while Pauline gathered a provision of cabbage leaves.

One day, when it was cold and had been raining, the two little sisters asked leave to go out.

'It is very muddy, my dears,' replied Mrs. de Flavier.

'Oh, do let us, mamma! we did not go out yesterday, and I am sure Amalthée must want some cabbage leaves dreadfully!'

'And we will put on our Barchalou boots.' 'What boots are those with such a formidable name?' asked Mr. de Flavier, laughing.

'Our strongest boots, papa,' answered Elizabeth. 'We have read a story about a man called Barchalou. He went through a great many adventures, and he had a pair of boots of which the book speaks very often. They were very good and strong, so we have called ours after them.'

Well, put on your Barchalou boots, and go out; but don't stay long, for it is cold,' said Mrs. de Flavier.

Elizabeth and Pauline were delighted. They fetched Amalthée, who began to bleat on hearing their voices. She had found confinement to the house as tedious as the children had,