grave, found it difficult to keep his countenance while he represented to
him the impropriety and hazard of his late conduct. Little Marion, who had
come out to the door to see the pony, was the only person that seemed to
enter into John's feelings. She sidled up to him, and said, "never mind,
John, Mr. Martin is not very angry, and you are not hurt; but," continued
she in a whisper, "you have torn the sleeve of your coat; I don't think
any of them have seen it yet; slip into the stable, and I will run and get
a needle and thread, and soon mend it, so that it can never be seen. It
will be done before the pony finishes his corn, that I saw my father
taking to him."

John followed Marion's advice, who, from that day, was enthroned in his
heart, and considered by him as the best little girl he had ever been
acquainted with. Bob having eaten his corn, and Marion having mended
John's coat, quite to her own satisfaction, John led him out, ready
equipped, for Miss Helen, who mounted him directly. "Now, my dears," said
Mr. Martin, "we must make a little haste, for I am afraid your mother,
Helen, will be getting uneasy at our long absence. Only look! there is the
moon rising. We shall be quite late before we reach home." By the time
they got near the holm, the moon was shining in full grandeur. Her rays
played beautifully on the sparkling waters of the Esk, occasionally
intersected by the branches of the trees which grew on the banks of the
river. The night was clear; the stars shone above their heads with
brilliant splendor. Altogether Mr. Martin was so entranced, that,
forgetting the children were his only companions, he broke silence,
repeating the following lines: a translation of his own from Homer's
Iliad:

As when around the full bright moon, in heaven,
The stars shine glorious; breathless is the air;