phens; "but if he is as bad
as you say, I fear it's little I can do." To their great delight, however,
when Stephens had examined him, he gave it as his decided opinion that the
animal was suffering from a severe cold and over-work. "If we had him put
into a warm house for a night, and gave him something warm to eat, I think
he would soon be all right," said Stephens. "I might manage to make him up
a bed in the root-house, if your mamma would have no objections."

[Illustration: THE GIPSY ENCAMPMENT.]

Caroline and Lizzie ran back to the house again, and after telling the
story, Mrs. Ashcroft gave permission that all attention should be paid to
the sick animal; and while Charles and the herd-boy went over to the gipsy
encampment to tell where their donkey had disappeared to, Caroline and
Lizzie helped Stephens to make the donkey comfortable. Even in the short
time they were beside him the poor animal seemed to be much relieved; and
though at first he could scarcely open his mouth to eat the warm, soft
mash Stephens had prepared for him, before they left he was beginning to
nibble at a tuft of hay that had been placed for his use.

"Oh, I do wish Herbert had stayed to help us," said Caroline; "I really
cannot understand why he doesn't take an interest in dumb animals. I
wonder why he is so different from Charles. Your brother is seldom cross
with you, not even when you are cross with him."

"No," said Lizzie; "he is really a good kind boy; but I know somebody, not
very far off, who is just as good and gentle as my brother Charles,--and
that is yourself, you patient little puss."

"Oh, don't say that, Lizzie dear," said Caroline, with flushed cheeks.
"I'm often hasty and ill-tempered, and make Herbert worse than he might be
if I left him alone."

"Well," replied Lizzie, "all I can say is, if Herbert were my brother, I
should be twice as hasty and five times as ill-tempered, for he is about
the most provoking boy I know."

Charles returned in due time from the gipsy encampment, quite delighted
with all he had seen of the people, and reported they had given up their
donkey for lost; and, of course, they had been much gratified to hear it
was likely to be restored to health and strength.

"I made them promise to leave the poor animal with us for a week," said
Charlie; "and they say that they are quite willing, and mean to go on to
the market-town, and return again for him."

"Oh, I was hoping they would remain in th