parlor, where he and Mr. Mann were sitting. "Mrs. Jerrold, Edith, and
Albert have gone on in a carriage, and you are left to my tender care;
will you ride or walk?"

"How can you ask? My feet are quite wild. No wonder I am a different
girl. Are we not going to the Pincian hill to look at the live world and
people? I have just unlocked the stop-gates and let the blood bound in
my veins as it wants to."

"It has been taking the cinque-pace, I should say from your long face
to-day."

"O, it has only been trying to keep step with the march of the ages, or
some such stately tread, but it was hard work, and now the dear life
of me hops, skips and jumps, like this," and Mae seized her brother and
danced across the room, stopping very near Mr. Mann, who stood with his
back to them, drumming on the window pane. She looked at him quizzically
and half raised her eyebrows.

Eric shook his head, and said aloud in his outspoken way: "You owe him
an apology, Mae, for this morning's rudeness."

Mr. Mann turned quickly. "I am surprised, Eric. Let your sister find out
for herself when she is rude."

"Bless me," cried Eric, "what is the row?"

Mae looked determined. "Are you going to the Pincian with us?" she
asked.