e had never seen it before, was
doubtful whether to be frightened or not; but as Edward, whom he knew so
well, and who was always kind to him, was the pursuer, and as the
children were laughing, he thought he might laugh too, and not liking
sitting still when all were running and jumping round him, he slid down
from his high seat and joined the group that had fled to that end of the
room from Edward. As ill luck would have it, Edward turned in that
direction somewhat suddenly, and there was a loud cry of one and all to
run, and instantly all did run, Reuben too obeying the call, and setting
off as fast as his little legs would let him.

As might have been expected, the elder children escaped, and Edward
caught the boy, whom he instantly named, and tearing off the
handkerchief from his eyes, he was going to tie it round those of
Reuben, when Marten interposed, and said "he would not understand the
game." Edward was, however, tired of being blinded and of being
buffetted about, and not thinking how very young Reuben was, for he knew
very little about children, as he had no little brothers nor sisters of
his own, he only said he had caught the child, and that it was but fair
he should be blinded, as he was caught and had absolutely prevented him
from catching one of the others when they were close to him. As Reuben
himself thought it was manly to be blinded, and believed all he had to
do was to run about with the handkerchief round his head, he was very
anxious to do as Edward had done, and Mary, to whom he pleaded for
permission so to do, blinded him herself, and as she tied the
handkerchief round him she said, "Now, young gentlemen, don't hurt the
little fellow, pray be gentle with him, for he's very young."

Mary then took his hand, and leading him into the centre of the room
she slightly directed him where to go. It must be understood that Reuben
knew no one in the room but Marten, Edward, and Mary, and as he did not
know the rules of the game, the elder boys and girls, soon wearied of
the little fellow running hither and thither, for they did not wish to
hurt the child, and so they ceased for awhile their boisterous play;
but, as might be expected, this would not last long, and Marten stepping
forwards on the little one laying hold of some boy near him, said, "My
brother does not know any one here by name, is it not enough that he has
caught some one? He does not know, I am sure, who his hand is upon, even
if he were