r's right, that of
affection--you cannot deny this, John. Once again, I beg of you to let
the old pines alone."

"And once again, I tell you I will do as I please in this matter," and
this was said sharply and decidedly.

Margaret Greylston said not another word, but pushing back her chair,
she arose from the breakfast-table and went quickly from the room, even
before her brother could call to her. Reuben and his companion had just
got in the last meadow when Miss Greylston overtook them.

"You, will let the pines alone to-day," she calmly said, "go to any
other work you choose, but remember those trees are not to be touched."

"Very well, Miss Margaret," and Reuben touched his hat respectfully,

"Mr. John is very changeable in his notions," burst in Tom; "not an hour
ago he was in such a hurry to get us at the pine."

"Never mind," authoritatively said Miss Greylston; "do just as you are
bid, without any remarks;" and she turned away, and went down the meadow
path, even as she came, within quick step, without a bonnet, shading her
eyes from the morning sun with her handkerchief.

John Greylston still sat at the breakfast-table, half dreamily balancing
the spoon across the saucer's edge. When his sister came in again, he
raised his head, and mutely-inquiringly looked at her, and she spoke,--

"I left this room just to go after Reuben and Tom; I overtook them
before they had crossed the last meadow, and I told them not to touch
the pine trees, but to go, instead, to any other work they choose. I am
sure you will be angry with me for all this; but, John, I cannot help it
if you are."

"Don't say so, Margaret," Mr. Greylston sharply answered, getting up at
the same time from his chair, "don't tell me you could not help it. I
have talked and reasoned with you about those trees, until my patience
is completely worn out; there is no necessity for you to be such an
obstinate fool."

"Oh! John, hush, hush!"

"I will not," he thundered. "I am master here, and I will speak and act
in this house as I see fit. Now, who gave you liberty to countermand my
orders; to send my servants back from the Work I had set for them to do?
Margaret, I warn you; for, any more such freaks, you and I, brother and
sister though we be, will live no longer under the same roof."

"Be still, John Greylston! Remember _her_ patient, self-sacrificing
love. Remember the past--be still."

But he would not; relentlessly, stubbornly, the waves of