vely said that it was not.
The potatoes harmonised with the prevailing flavour; not so the
ginger-bread, however, nor the butter. Everything was oniony; they
finished their repast with a sweet onion-tart! To make things worse,
the sky soon became overcast, a stiff breeze began to blow, and Mr
McAllister "opined" that there was going to be a squall.

A piercing shriek put an abrupt termination to the meal!

Intent on mischief; the imp had succeeded in pushing off the boat and
clambering into it. For some time he rowed about in a circle with one
oar, much delighted with his performances. But when the breeze began to
increase and blow the boat away he became alarmed; and when the oar
missed the water and sent him sprawling on his back, he gave utterance
to the shriek above referred to. Luckily the wind carried him past the
place where they were picnicking. There was but one mode of getting at
the boat. It was at once adopted. Hector threw off his coat and vest,
and swam out to it!

Ten minutes later, they were rowing at full speed for the foot of the
loch. The sky was dark and a squall was tearing up the waters of the
lake. Then the rain came down in torrents. Then it was discovered that
the cloaks had been left at Hazlewood Creek, as the place where they had
dined was named. To turn back was impossible. The gentlemen's coats
were therefore put on the ladies' shoulders. All were soaked to the
skin in a quarter of an hour. Jacky was quiet--being slightly overawed,
but not humbled! His mother was too frightened to speak or scream. Mr
Sudberry rubbed his hands and said, "Come, I like to have a touch of all
sorts of weather, and _won't_ we have a jolly tea and a rousing fire
when we get home?" Mrs Sudberry sighed at the word "home." McAllister
volunteered a song, and struck up the "Callum's Lament," a dismally
cheerful Gaelic ditty. In the midst of this they reached the
landing-place, from which they walked through drenched heather and
blinding rain to the White House.

Thus, drearily, the picnic ended!

STORY ONE, CHAPTER 8.

CONCERNING FOWLS AND POOLS.

One morning the Sudberry Family sat on the green hill-side, in front of
the White House, engaged in their usual morning amusement--feeding the
cocks and hens.

It is astonishing what an amount of interest may be got up in this way!
If one goes at it with a sort of philanthropico-philosophical spirit, a
full hour of genuine satisfaction may be