ds."

She caught hold of Helena's hand as she spoke and started off, the
others following. Mrs. Frere stood looking after them with a smile,
though there was a little anxiety in her face too.

"I hope they will be careful," she thought; "I can trust Helena, but
these children _are_ rather overpowering. Still, it would scarcely have
done to begin checking them the moment they arrived."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

_Part 2_

The grounds of Halling Park were very large, the lawns and flower-beds
near the house were most carefully kept, and just now in their full
summer beauty. The first thought of the little Freres was to show their
new friends all over this ornamental part, for the Halling roses were
rather famed, and Helena knew the names of the finest and rarest among
them.

But Freda Kingley flew past the rosebeds without stopping or letting
Helena stop, and, excited by her example, the three boys and Maggie came
rushing after them, till the run almost grew into a race, so that when
at last the very active young lady condescended to pull up to take
breath, Helena was redder and hotter than she had ever been before in
her life. Indeed, for a moment or two, she was almost frightened--her
heart beat so fast, and there was such a "choky" feeling in her throat.
She could not speak, but stood there gasping.

Freda burst out laughing.

"I say," she exclaimed, "you're in very bad condition; isn't she,
Hugh?"

Helena stared, which made Freda laugh still more, Hugh joining her.

"I don't understand what you mean," said the little girl at last, when
she could speak.

"Oh, it's nothing you need mind," said Hugh good-naturedly. "It only
means you're not up to much running--you've not been training yourself
for it. Freda was nearly as bad once, before I went to school; she
didn't understand, you see. But the first holidays I took her in hand,
and she's not bad now--not for a girl. I'll take you in hand if you
like."

"Thank you," said Helena; "no, I don't think I want to be taken in hand.
I don't care to run so fast. Won't you come back again to see the
flowers near the house? And the tennis-court is very nice for
puss-in-the-corner or Tom Tiddler's ground."

"We know a game or two worth scores of those old-fashioned things--don't
we, Freda?" said Hugh. "But I daresay the tennis-ground's rather jolly,
if it's a good big one; we can look it up later on. First of all I want
to see the stream. We caught