ed sheepishly
away, as they appeared, ashamed to own that in his ill-humor he had
been teasing his little brother.

Harry was a sweet-tempered, affectionate little fellow, ready to put up
his mouth to kiss anybody who smiled upon him; but now he had been too
far provoked to bear all patiently.

Marcus had run away with his yellow carriage and dashed it against a
stone, until all the seeds that had been riding about so comfortably
were scattered far and wide on the grass. Then, because he looked
displeased, and said, "Naughty boy!" Marcus had perched him on the high
chicken-coop, and left him to scream for himself, or roll off as he best
could.

Hatty took the little fellow in her arms and wiped away his tears. She
promised to hunt with him for a "beautiful squash," larger than the one
he had lost,--and he was soon comforted, and began to smooth her face and
say, "Dear Hatty--Hatty so dood."

"Yes, Hatty is so good," echoed Meg.

"Sister is only trying to be good," said Hatty, modestly. But the praise
of the little ones went to her heart.

Marcus was sulky towards Hatty all the noon. He did not go out to help
her feed the bantams, though she went through the room where he was,
with the food in her hand, to give him a chance, if he wished, to join
her pleasantly.

Hatty loved her brother, and since she had been making an effort to
govern her temper, she had enjoyed being with him. He, too, found in her
a very pleasant companion. She was ready to listen to him when he
talked, and let herself be instructed, though she sometimes knew as much
as he did about the subjects of which he was speaking. Marcus did not
teaze Hatty much of late, as she had learned to laugh, herself, even
when he warmed his hands by her red hair, or asked her if she was so
hot-tempered that she had set her head on fire in a passion.

Marcus was glad that day when it came time for him to go to school
again, though he generally thought the intermission quite too short. He
missed Hatty, and he felt uneasy about what she had said. An
uncomfortable feeling was at his heart. He was acting a lie! The truth
had been plainly told him, and he could not forget it.

VII.

Marcus was very cross to Hatty for a day or two after their conversation
in the arbour; and whenever he was in the house he kept the children
perpetually uncomfortable with his teasing.

Hatty had all this to bear in silence, for she would not trouble her
mother with compla