ared was little Miss Jane, the mother's pet, because
she was the youngest. She came squalling in to tell her mother that
Dick had scratched her, though she could not show the scratch; and
there was no peace until she was set on a high chair by her mother, and
supplied with a piece of sugared bread-and-butter.

A great sturdy boy in petticoats, of about four years old, followed
little Miss Jane, roaring and blubbering because Jane had pinched him
in return for the scratch; but Mrs. Burke managed to settle him also
with a piece of ham, which he ate without bread--fat and all. Dicky was
presently followed into the room by the three elder boys, James,
William, and Tom. Being admonished by their father, they gave Mr.
Fairchild something between a bow and a nod. James's compliment might
have been called a bow; William's was half one and half the other; and
Tom's was nothing more than a nod. These boys were soon seated, and
began to fill their plates from every dish near to them.

Mrs. Burke asked James if he knew where his sisters were; and Tom
answered:

"Why, at the glass to be sure, taking the papers out of their hair."

"What's that you say, Tom?" was heard at that instant from someone
coming into the parlour. It was Miss Judy, and she was followed by Miss
Mary and Miss Elizabeth.

These three paid their compliments to Mr. Fairchild somewhat more
properly than their brothers had done; and in a very few minutes all
the family were seated, and all the young ones engaged with their
breakfasts.

It was Mr. Fairchild's custom always, when he had business to do, to
take the first opportunity of forwarding it: so he did not lose this
opportunity, but told his reasons for begging a breakfast that morning
from Mrs. Burke.

Mr. Burke entered kindly into what his neighbour said, and had no
difficulty, though the surname was not known, in finding out who the
grandmother of Edward and Jane was.

He told Mr. Fairchild that she bore a good character--had suffered many
afflictions--and, if she were ill, must be in great need. It was then
settled that as he was going in his little gig that morning to the
park, Mr. Fairchild should go with him; that they should go round over
the common to see the old woman, who did not live very near to the
farm, and that Henry should be left under Mrs. Burke's care, as the gig
would only carry two persons.

When Mr. Burke said the gig would only hold two, James looked up from
his plate, and sa