Mr. King, glancing at Ben, whose face told what he thought, "children,
we will go--that is, if Mrs. Pepper says yes.

"I will ask her," cried Joel with a howl, springing off.

"Come on," cried Jasper, "let's all 'be in at the death.'" And the
library was deserted in a twinkling.

But mother was nowhere to be found. "Upstairs, downstairs, and in the
lady's chamber," they sought her wildly.

"Oh! I forgot," exclaimed Polly, when at last they gathered in the wide
hall, disposing themselves on the chairs and along the stairs, all tired
out. "She has gone to evening meeting with Auntie. How stupid of me not
to remember that."

"Well, I declare!" cried a voice above them, and looking up they met the
cold blue eyes of Mrs. Chatterton regarding them over the railing.
"Cousin Horatio, do you keep a menagerie, or a well-ordered house, I beg
to inquire?"

"A menagerie," said Mr. King coolly, leaning on the balustrade at the
foot of the stairs, and looking up at her. "All sorts of strange animals
wander in here, Cousin."

"Hum; I understand. I'm not so dull as you think. Well, you've changed,
let me tell you, vastly, and not for the better either, in the last six
years. Who would ever suppose I see before me fastidious Horatio King!"
she exclaimed, lifting her long thin hands to show him their horror-
stricken palms.