they were faultless in
their way, and Violet was ashamed of her shame almost as soon as she was
conscious of it.

"Aunt Mary," said Frank, after they were seated at the table, "won't you
ask me to spend the afternoon here to-morrow? I like your Sundays."

Mrs Inglis did not answer for a moment, but Jem answered for her.

"All right, Frank! Come straight from church. Your father will let
you, won't he?"

"If Aunt Mary were to ask me, he would. I am not sure, otherwise," said
Frank. "What do you say, Aunt Mary?"

Philip looked at him in astonishment.

"Never mind, Phil," said Frank. "Aunt Mary and I understand."

"We are old friends," said Mrs Inglis, smiling.

"I think he is very bold," said his brother. "What if I were to insist
on being invited in that persistent way?"

"That would be quite different," said Frank. "You are a stranger. I
was often here last winter. I am one of the children when I am here.
Aunt Mary does not make a stranger of me."

"But, Frank," said Jessie, "David is away now on Sunday afternoon, and
Violet and Jem. And, perhaps, mamma will let us all go, and go herself,
if there are any more children."

"Where?" asked Frank.

"At Sunday-school--down on Muddy Lane. Mr Caldwell's Sunday-school."

"Old Caldwell!" said Frank. "That's the way, is it? How do you like
it, Davie?"

"Sunday-school is not a new thing to us, you know," said David.

"But it is a new thing for you to be a teacher," said Jem. "Oh! he
likes it. Davie's a great man on Sunday, down in Muddy Lane."

"Nonsense, Jem!"

"I went once," said Jessie, "and it is very nice. Letty sings, and the
children sing too. And one of the girls broke Letty's parasol--" And
Mrs Inglis's attention being occupied for the moment, Jessie gave other
particulars of the school, quite unmindful of her sister's attempts to
stop her.

Ned had something to tell, too, and entered into minute particulars
about a wager between two of the boys, as to whether Mr Caldwell wore a
wig or not, and the means they took to ascertain the truth about it.

"They must be rather stupid not to know that," said Frank.

"Do you like it?" asked Philip of Violet.

"Yes, indeed! I like it very much. But I don't like Ned's telling
tales out of school, nor Jessie, either."

"But mine are not bad tales. I like it too," said Jessie.

"But I should think it would be very unpleasant. And what is the good
of it? Muddy Lane of all places!" said