the Welbys' consternation.
They were sure he was stolen or lost. But late in the afternoon he came
home again in a very good humour. And the next morning off he went
again, to come home just like the day before. They couldn't make it out,
but Tom was determined to find out, so he watched Mr. Monkey, and where
do you think he was? In the woods gathering blackberrries on his own
account, 'like a Christian,' said old Welby, and enjoying himself
thoroughly. And now he goes off every morning regularly, and comes home
when the afternoon gets chilly. It's really most amusing, isn't it?"

[Illustration]

The children looked at each other, but for a moment none of them spoke.
Then at last Nora burst out.

"Uncle, we saw him this morning. But--we were very silly--"

"We thought he was a wood-spirit--a--a--I can't remember the name,"
said Cecil.

"I wanted to shoot him," said Hilary.

At this there was a shout of laughter all round the table. The children
hesitated, then they looked at each other again, and burst out laughing
too.

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked big sister Mabel.

"We thought you'd laugh at us," they said.

"And after all we _have_ laughed at you, but I don't think you're any
the worse," said Mabel smiling, as she kissed their little flushed
faces.

[Illustration]

RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BUNGAY.

* * * * *

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