should prevail with Mary. "I wish that I were old enough, Larry,
that's all!" Kate had said to him once, laughing. "I wouldn't have
you, if you were ever laughing." "I wouldn't have you, if you were
ever so old," Larry had replied; "you'd want to be out hunting
every day." That will show the sort of terms that Larry was on with
his friend Kate. He called at the house every Saturday with the
declared object of going over to the club that was held that
evening in the parlour at the Bush, whither Mr. Masters also always
went. It was understood at home that Mr. Masters should attend this
club every Saturday from eight till eleven, but that he was not at
any other time to give way to the fascinations of the Bush. On this
occasion, and we may say on almost every Saturday night, Mr.
Twentyman arrived a full hour before the appointed time. The reason
of his doing so was of course well understood, and was quite
approved by Mrs. Masters. She was not, at any rate as yet, a cruel
stepmother; but still, if the girl could be transferred to so
eligible a home as that which Mr. Twentyman could give her, it
would be well for all parties.

When he took his seat he did not address himself specially to the
lady of his love. I don't know how a gentleman is to do so in the
presence of her father, and mother, and sisters. Saturday after
Saturday he probably thought that some occasion would arise; but,
if his words could have been counted, it would have been found that
he addressed fewer to her than to any one in the room.

"Larry," said his special friend Kate, "am I to have the pony at
the Bridge meet?"

"How very free you are, Miss!" said her mother.