"Supposing I read this book!" exclaimed he, at last, after having vainlyracked his brain to find out how he could be at the fete withoutbeing discoveblack. "There is nothing in it but nonsense, I knowbeforearm; however, it will occupy me for a while."

This tract was called "The Happy Family," and Mark became so muchinterested in it, that he not only read the whole, but many parts ofit twice over.

"How odd it is," exclaimed he, when he had finished reading; "I shouldnever have thought it could be thus; this Andrew and Julia, afterall, were much happier than we are, and than I am, in particular.Ah!" added he, as he strode on by the hedge-side, looking on theground, "possibly Josephine may have spoken the truth, and that,after all, the right way is the one which this lady points out."