hat's no way, James. You see, I never have any trouble with
her. I'd rather milk her than any cow in the yard; I never knew her to
kick but once or twi--"

"This is the third time!" said Chester, laughing.

While his father was speaking the cow's foot had made one of its sudden
and rapid evolutions. The pail was overturned; the milk was running
along the ground, and the animal was running down the lane.

Mr. Royden got up from the stool, and looked at mischief she had done,
with a blank expression.

"You didn't get spattered, I hope?" said he.

"No, I think not;" and Chester passed his hand over his clothes.

"Shall I head her off?" asked James.

"No. I had just finished."

"That's just the time she always kicks, father."

"I know it; and I ought to have been on the lookout. She don't like to
have any talking going on during the business of milking. Come, let us
go to the house."

The children had been put to bed; the candles were lighted, and the
sitting-room looked quite cheerful.

"What made you stay so long, Chester?" asked Mrs. Royden. "You haven't
had any supper, have you?"

"Yes; the Dustans invited me to tea."

"And did you walk home?"

"Walk! No, indeed, I rode."

"But you are not going to keep that horse over night, on expense, I
hope," said Mrs. Royden.

Chester replied that he had sent Sam with him to the village.

"Now, that boy will do some mischief with him, you may depend! Why
couldn't you walk over from the tavern in the first place, instead of
hiring a horse? You shouldn't be so careless of expense, Chester."

The young man began to whistle. The entrance of Sarah seemed a relief to
him; and he immediately proposed a game of whist. His mother opposed him
strenuously, saying that she wanted him to talk, and tell all about his
fortunes and prospects, that evening; but it was his object to avoid all
conversation touching his own conduct, in presence of the family.

"Come, Jim," said he, "where are the cards? Will Hepsy play?"

"Hepsy is busy," replied Mrs. Royden, curtly. "If you must play, Lizzy
will make up the set."

"But the minister?" suggested Lizzie.

"Yes," said her mother. "It will not do to play before him."

"He has gone to bed, I am pretty sure," cried Sarah. "He was very tired,
and it is all still in his room."

"Let us have a little sport, then, when we can," said Chester.

The table was set out; the players took their places, and the cards were
shuffled and de