if you could bring it home to him more gently."

"I think the present way is an admirable one for showing the boy his
folly. The bird who kept company with the jackdaws had his neck wrung,
innocent as he was. I want Lindon to see how very near he has been to
having his neck wrung through keeping company with a jackdaw. Now, my
dear Laura, leave it to me. The magistrates will grasp the case at
once, and Master Lindon will receive a severe admonition from some one
else, which will bring him to his senses, and then we shall go on quite
smoothly again."

"You cannot tell how happy you have made me feel," said Mrs Lavington,
as she wept silently.

"Well," said Uncle Josiah, "I want to make you happy, you poor timid
little bird. Now, then, try to believe that I am acting for the best."

"And you will not be so stern with him?"

"As far as my lights will illumine me, I will do what is right by my
sister's boy, Laura--the lad I want to see grow up into a
straightforward Englishman, proud of his name. There, can I say more
fairly than that?"

"No. I only beg that you will think of Lindon as a high-spirited boy,
who, though he does not always do as you wish, is still extremely
sensitive."

"Proud and stubborn, eh, Laura?"

"I will say no more, my own brother, only leave myself in your hands."

"Yes, you may well look at the clock," said Uncle Josiah, laughing, as
he put his arm round his sister, and kissed her very tenderly; "the
young dog is unconscionably late."

"You do not think--after what I said?"

"Think? Nonsense. No, no. Lindon is too manly for that. Here, I am
sure that you have a terrible headache, and you are worn out. Go to
bed, and I'll sit up for the young rascal, and have a talk to him when
he comes in."

"No, no!" exclaimed Mrs Lavington excitedly; "I do not like you to sit
up for him. I will."

"Not you. Too tired out as it is. No, my dear, you shall go to bed,
and I will sit up for him."

"Then let neither of us sit up."

"Afraid I shall scold him, eh?"

"I cannot help being afraid of something of the kind, dear."

"Very well, then we will both go, and let Jessie sit up."

The maid was rung for, and entered.

"We are going to bed, Jessie. Master Lindon has not returned yet. You
will sit up until he comes in."

"Yes, sir."

The maid left the room, and brother and sister sat looking at each
other.

"Did you speak, Josiah?" said Mrs Lavington.

"No; I was only think