described. Possibly they may not have been inculcated quite in the right
manner; but that is not our business here.

Edith guessed what her brothers were after, and told her suspicious to
Emilie; but not until they were within sight of the farm-house. John
and Fred, who had been a short cut across the fields, were in high glee
awaiting their arrival, and assisted Edith and her friend to alight more
politely than usual. Aunt Agnes was in ecstasies of delight to see her
dear Emilie, and she caressed Edith most lovingly also. Edith liked the
old lady, who had a fund of fairy tales, such as the German language is
rich in. Often would Edith go and sit by the old lady as she knitted,
and listen to the story of the "Flying Trunk," or the "Two Swans," with
untiring interest; and old ladies of a garrulous turn like good
listeners. So aunt Agnes called Edith a charming girl, and Edith, who
had seldom seen aunt Agnes otherwise than conversable and pleasant,
thought her a very nice old lady.

Mrs. Crosse was extremely polite; and in the bustle of greeting, and
putting up the pony, and aunt Agnes' questions, the fire-work affair was
almost forgotten. When they all met at tea, the farmer, who had almost
as great a horror of gunpowder as Mr. Parker--and in the vicinity of
barns and stacks, with greater reason--declared he smelt a smell which
he never tolerated in his house, and asked his boys if they had any
about them. They denied it, but it was evident they knew something of
the matter; and now Emilie's concern was very great.

After tea she took John by the arm, and looking into his face, said, "I
am going to be very intrusive, Sir; I am not your governess, and I have
no right to control you, but I wish to be your friend, and may I advise
you? Don't take those fire-works out on Mr. Crosse's premises, you have