Jerome," she said, "I'll say I'm sorry, too."

Jerry only dropped his shoulders against the stump and stared out in the
direction of his dear native Japan, where love was no sin, and smacking
had not been introduced. Why had he ever left it? He would go back
to-morrow--and yet there were obstacles: another grievance. Nature,
in endowing Jerry with every grace of form and feature, along with a
sensitive soul, had somehow forgotten the gift of locomotion.

There was a crackling in the bushes behind me, with sharp short pants as
of a small steam-engine, and Rollo, the black retriever, just released
from his chain by some friendly hand, burst through the underwood,
seeking congenial company. I joyfully hailed him to stop and be a
panther; but he sped away round the pond, upset Charlotte with a
boisterous caress, and seizing Jerry by the middle, disappeared with him
down the drive. Charlotte raved, panting behind the swift-footed avenger
of crime; Rosa lay dishevelled, bereft of consciousness; Jerry himself
spread helpless arms to heaven, and I almost thought I heard a cry for
mercy, a tardy promise of amendment; but it was too late. The Black Man
had got Jerry at last; and though the tear of sensibility might moisten
the eye, no one who really knew him could deny the justice of his fate.

"YOUNG ADAM CUPID"

NO one would have suspected Edward of being in love, but that after
breakfast, with an over-acted carelessness, "Anybody who likes," he
said, "can feed my rabbits," and he disappeared, with a jauntiness that
deceived nobody, in the direction of the orchard. Now, kingdoms might
totter and reel, and convulsions change the map of Europe; but the iron
unwritten law prevailed, that each boy severely fed his own rabbits.
There was good ground, then, for suspicion and alarm; and while
the lettuce-leaves were being drawn through the wires, Harold and I
conferred seriously on the situation.

It may be thought that the affair was none of our business; and indeed
we cared little as individuals. We were only concerned as members of a
corporation, for each of whom the mental or physical ailment of one of
his fellows might have far-reaching effects. It was thought best that
Harold, as least open to suspicion of motive, should be despatched to
probe and peer. His instructions were, to proceed by a report on the
health of our rabbits in particular; to glide gently into a discussion
on rabbits in general, their customs, practi