,
barking and yelping in his determination to catch this extraordinary rat
or rabbit.

"I tell you what it is," said Herbert, "we must have Pincher put out of
the room."

"Oh, don't put him out," pleaded Maud; "let us tie him up with his
ribbons. Perhaps, Carry dear, you wouldn't mind holding him?"

[Illustration: PINCHER.]

Caroline was very happy to be of use, and held Pincher very securely. The
poor dog often looked up in her face as if to say, Are you being punished
too? and then, while still looking at her, made little springs and barked,
as if to encourage her to rise in rebellion and escape from her
persecutors. He was really so droll that Caroline could not help laughing
very heartily at him, and Herbert and her cousins were so glad when they
heard it, that they left off their game at once, and came over beside
her.

"I say, Carry, do come and play," said Charlie; "we can't feel happy
without you."

"It is very sad about the bird," said Harry. "I know when my green
parrakeets died on the voyage home from Australia, I was so sorry that I
actually went to bed. But I'll tell you what we shall do: Herbert and
Charlie and I will catch another starling, and then you can tame him, and
keep him out of Tom's reach for the future. Mrs. Trigg says there are lots
to be had in the steeple of the old church."

It was not till next morning that Harry discovered why Caroline wanted to
have the starling; and no sooner did he understand that she wanted it for
a present for her brother, than he said in his prompt way, "Will nothing
else do? I tell you what, I saw a splendid thing that I am sure he will
like quite as well. If aunt would only let us go to the town we could get
it without him knowing."

Caroline gladly promised to ask her mamma's consent, but when she inquired
what this wonderful thing was, Harry only laughed and said, "No; I'll keep
it secret till to-morrow. It is enough to ask a girl to keep one thing
secret at a time. Remember, if aunt consents, we must set out to-morrow
before anybody is up."

[Illustration: THE JOURNEY.]

Mrs. Ashcroft having given her consent, Harry and Caroline set out the
next morning, followed by Neptune, who insisted upon accompanying them.
"You had better take my arm, Caroline," said Harry; "and let me carry your
basket, too. We have rather a long walk."

At the town, Harry went straight to a shop where they sold all sorts of
animals both alive and stuffed, and when they had