cheerful
tone than he had hitherto been speaking in.

The young sailor had plenty to talk about, though, as he remarked, he
found his words apt to block up the hatchway, he was in such a hurry to
get them out of the hold.

Charles and Anna were eager to hear about Tom Holman, and William would
have liked to hear what his brother was saying, but, in shame, he hung
back some way behind the rest, and when they reached the house his
father told him to go to his room, and wait there till summoned Frank
saw that there was something wrong, but forbore to inquire, hoping soon
to have an opportunity of pleading for the culprit.

"Ah, that comes, whatever it is, of his being brought up by old Becky Ap
Reece," he thought to himself. "I am heartily glad he is free of her,
though he may never get a farthing of her money. He was a plucky little
chap, and with good training something might be made of him; but she
treated him like one of her poodles, and would soon have made him of no
more use in the world than a puppy dog."

Though Frank Morgan was thoughtful, he was one of the merriest fellows
under the sun, and among the lightest of heart though not of head.
Frank's return brought life and spirit into the house; for Charles,
though highly esteemed, was grave and somewhat reserved; Anna was sedate
and quiet; and William, since his return home, had been very
troublesome, and was looked upon generally as an arrant pickle; while
the Doctor and Mrs Morgan were so much occupied that they were unable
to think of amusements for their children. Everything, however, was to
give way in order to make Frank enjoy his short visit at home; and
picnics and several pleasant excursions were planned that he might find
the time as pleasant as possible.

CHAPTER SIX.

Dr Morgan loved William fully as much as he did the rest of his
children, but he saw that correction was necessary to cure him. Instead
of being allowed to welcome Frank with the rest of the family, William
was sent to his room, where he remained by himself, not knowing what was
next to happen. He was very sorry for what he had done; he had seen the
fearful consequences of his cruelty, by which he might have deprived a
fellow-creature of life; indeed, he knew not even now whether Old Moggy
might not die; and he also saw his own folly in believing that a poor
weak old creature, who could not preserve herself from injury, could
injure others in the way she was accused of doi