yes at
the slowness of our progress. We in the meanwhile got on as fast as we
could, encouraging and reproaching each other. 'Faster, my Lizzy! Oh,
what a bad runner!'--'Faster, faster! Oh, what a bad runner!' echoed my
saucebox. 'You are so fat, Lizzy, you make no way!'--'Ah! who else is
fat?' retorted the darling. Certainly her mother is right; I do spoil
that child.

By this time we were thoroughly soaked, all three. It was a pelting
shower, that drove through our thin summer clothing and poor May's short
glossy coat in a moment. And then, when we were wet to the skin, the sun
came out, actually the sun, as if to laugh at our plight; and then, more
provoking still, when the sun was shining, and the shower over, came a
maid and a boy to look after us, loaded with cloaks and umbrellas enough
to fence us against a whole day's rain. Never mind! on we go, faster
and faster; Lizzy obliged to be most ignobly carried, having had the
misfortune to lose a shoe in the mud, which we left the boy to look
after.

Here we are at home--dripping; but glowing and laughing, and bearing our
calamity most manfully. May, a dog of excellent sense, went instantly
to bed in the stable, and is at this moment over head and ears in straw;
Lizzy is gone to bed too, coaxed into that wise measure by a promise of
tea and toast, and of not going home till to-morrow, and the story of
Little Red Riding Hood; and I am enjoying the luxury of dry clothing by
a good fire. Really getting wet through now and then is no bad thing,
finery apart; for one should not like spoiling a new pelisse, or a
handsome plume; but when there is nothing in question but a white gown
and a straw bonnet, as was the case to-day, it is rather pleasant than
not. The little chill refreshes, and our enjoyment of the subsequent
warmth and dryness is positive and absolute. Besides, the stimulus and
exertion do good to the mind as well as body. How melancholy I was all
the morning! how cheerful I am now! Nothing like a shower-bath--a real
shower-bath, such as Lizzy and May and I have undergone, to cure low
spirits. Try it, my dear readers, if ever ye be nervous--I will answer
for its success.

THE OLD HOUSE AT ABERLEIGH.

June 25th.--What a glowing glorious day! Summer in its richest prime,
noon in its most sparkling brightness, little white clouds dappling
the deep blue sky, and the sun, now partially veiled, and now bursting
through them with an intensity of light! It wou