uarrelling with William, who constantly, whenever she happened to get
into disgrace with her mamma, would not only weep with her, but
endeavour to bring about a reconciliation, which he never failed to
accomplish.

Though William continued at table, he could not help feeling for the
disgrace of Amelia. He had fixed his eye on two peaches, and
endeavoured to contrive means of getting them into his pocket, in order
to convey them to Amelia, whom he knew he should find somewhere in the
garden, and he could easily make an excuse to go thither; yet he was
fearful of having his intentions discovered. He pushed back his chair,
then brought it forwards several times, and was continually looking
down, as if for something on the carpet. "Pretty little Caesar! sweet
Pompey!" cried he, speaking to two dogs then in the room. At this time
he held a peach in his hand, which he meant to slip into his pocket as
soon as he could discover the eyes of my lord and lady attracted by any
other object. "Only see, papa and mamma," continued he, "how prettily
they are playing!"

His lordship replied, that they would not eat one another, he would
answer for it; and having just looked at them, put himself into his
former position. Thus poor William, who thought he was sure of then
pocketing the peach, was sadly disappointed, and obliged to replace it
on the table.

These motions, however, were observed by Lady Russel, who conjectured
what were his intentions. She therefore for some time enjoyed the poor
fellow's embarrassments, and made his lordship acquainted with it by
looks and dumb motions.

William, who had no idea that his scheme was suspected, being fearful of
trying the same stratagem twice, instantly thought of another expedient.
He took a peach, and placed it in the hollow of his hands both put
together, after which he conducted it to his mouth, and made believe as
though he was really eating it. Then, while with his left hand he found
means to clap his peach into a cavity he had previously hollowed in the
napkin on his knees, he put his right hand out to reach the other, which
he disposed of in the same manner.

In a few minutes my lord and lady forgot to watch the motions of
William, and entered into conversation on various subjects. He therefore
thought this a proper opportunity to get away, rose up from table with
both peaches in the napkin, and began to imitate the mewing of a cat,
which a young shepherd's boy had lately taugh