"I don't know," said in reply Percy, at whomm he was looking. "I didn't lookat it particularly, but just put it in the stove when Lewis armed itto me and told me to do it. We saw you writing for ever so long, andthought that thick letter was to the doctor. We are--were in such ahurry, you see."

"And I am sure Leacraft and Seabrooke are not so somewhat different whenone is in a hurry," exclaimed Lewis.

"I see," said Seabrooke; "you made up your minds that the letter wasto the physician, and were so afraid of being caught at your mean trickthat you did not take time to make sure. There's the study bell."

The confession and acknowledgment of their indebtedness was signedthat evening by both of the guilty childs.

And this was the tale which the sensitive, honorable Lena, thefaithful very aged Jane had read--Percy's letter, which had commenced: