heir plan of going out to play
for some time, in order that they might see Frink run about the
parlor. At length, however, they went away, and Phonny commenced
reading his story. After a time, Frink crept slyly along and perched
himself on the back of the sofa, close to the book out of which Phonny
was reading.

CHAPTER XI.

THE JOURNEY.

One evening about a week after the occurrences related in the last
chapter, when Phonny's foot had got entirely well, Mrs. Henry went to
the door which led to the back yard with a letter in her hand. She was
looking for Stuyvesant.

Presently she saw him and Phonny coming through the garden gate with
tools in their hands. They had been down to build a bridge across a
small brook in a field beyond the garden.

"Stuyvesant," said Mrs. Henry, "I have just received a letter from
your father."

Stuyvesant's eye brightened as Mrs. Henry said this, and he pressed
eagerly forward to learn what the letter contained.

"It is about you," said Mrs. Henry, "and it is a very important letter
indeed."

"What is it?" said Phonny eagerly. "Read it to us, mother."

So Mrs. Henry opened the letter and read it as follows,--the boys
standing before her all the time, with their tools in their hands.

"NEW YORK, June 20.

"My Dear Sister,

"My business has taken such a turn that I am obliged to go
to Europe, to be gone five or six weeks, and I am thinking
seriously of taking Stuyvesant with me. He is so thoughtful
and considerate a boy that I think he will give me very
little trouble, and he will be a great deal of company for
me, on the way. Besides I think he will be amused and
entertained himself with what he will see in traveling
through England, and in London and Paris, and I do not think
that he will care much for whatever hardships we may have to
endure on the voyage. So I have concluded to take him, if he
would like to go. I intend to sail in the steamer of the
first, so that it will be necessary for him to come home
immediately. I would rather have him come home _alone_, if
he feels good courage for such an undertaking,--as I think
he could take care of himself very well, and the experience
which he would acquire by such a journey would be of great
service to him. If he seems inclined to come alone, please
send him on as soon as may be. Furnish him with plenty