ike you--fond of worms, and bugs, and all such disgusting things."

Horace smiled. No matter for the scorn in Grace's tone; it pleased him
to be compared in any way with his precious little Flyaway.

"Topknot has a spark of sense," said he, leading her along to the
green-house. "I'll bring her up not to scream at a spider."

"Now, young lady," said he, setting the cage on the shelf beside a
camellia, and speaking in a low voice, though they were quite alone,
"_can_ you keep a secret?"

"Course I can; What _is_ a _secrid_?"

"Why, it's something you musn't ever tell, Topknot, not to anybody that
lives."

"Then I won't, _cerdily_,--not to mamma, nor papa, nor Gracie."

"Nor anybody else?"

"No; course not. _Whobody_ else could I? O, 'cept Phibby. There, now,
what's the name of it."

"The name of it is--a secret, and the secret is this--Sure you won't
tell any single body, Topknot?"

"No; I said, _whobody_ could I tell? O, 'cept Tinka! There now!"

"Well, the secret is this," said Horace, laying his forefingers
together, and speaking very slowly, in order to prolong the immense
delight he felt in watching the little one's eager face. "You know
you've got an aunt Madge?"

"Yes; so've you, too."

"And she lives in the city of New York."

"Does she? When'd she go?"

"Why, she has always lived there; ever since she was married."

"O, yes; and uncle Gustus was married, too; they was both married. Is
that all?"

"And she thinks you and I are 'cute chicks, and wants us to go and see
her."

"Well, course she does; I knew that before," said Fly, turning away with
indifference; "I did go with mamma."

"O, but she means now, Topknot; this very Christmas. She said it in a
letter."

"Does she truly?" said Fly, beginning to look pleased. "But it can't be
a _secrid_, though," added she, next moment, sadly, "'cause we can't go,
Hollis."

"But I really think we shall go, Topknot; that is, if you don't spoil
the whole by telling."

"O, I cerdily won't tell!" said Fly, fluttering all over with a sense of
importance, like a kitten with its first mouse.

The breakfast bell rang; and, with many a word of warning, Horace led
his little sister into the dining-room.

"Papa," said she, the moment she was established in her high chair, "I
know sumpin'."

"O, Topknot!" cried Horace.

"I know Hollis has got his elbows on the table. There, now, _did_ I
tell?"

"Hu--sh, Topknot!"

There was a quiet moment while Mr