own some toward the west! I
shouldn't wonder if it's as late as two o'clock."

"Two o'clock!" cried Max in dismay, "and I was to be back by noon! Won't I
catch it!" and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great
haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner
and maybe have to go without.

Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of
sympathy.

"Max," she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on
their homeward way, "don't let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you! I
wouldn't. I'd fight him like anything!"

Max shook his head. "'Twouldn't do any good, Lulu; he's so much bigger and
stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the
thrashing quietly."

"I could never do that!" she said. "But don't wait for me if you want to
go faster."

"I don't," said Max.

"Well, I b'lieve I'd better make all the haste I can," said Jim. "So
good-by," and away he sped.

"Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!" sighed Lulu.

"Max, can't we write him a letter?"

"I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes."

"I wouldn't let him. I'd hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in
the post-office myself."

"I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must
always know what I do with it. It's the same way with my pocket money; so
I can't buy postage-stamps; and I don't know how to direct the letter
either."

"Oh dear! and it's just the same way with me!" sighed Lulu. "When will
papa come? I'm just sick to see him and tell him everything!"

When they reached Mrs. Scrimp's door Max gave Lulu his string of fish,
saying, "Here, take them, Sis. It's no use for me to keep 'em, for I
shouldn't get a taste; and maybe they'll put her in a good humor with
you."

"Thank you," she said. "O Max, I wish you could eat them yourself!" Her
eyes were full of tears.

"I'd rather you'd have 'em; you and Gracie," he said cheerfully.
"Good-by."

"Good-by," she returned, looking after him as he hurried away, whistling
as he went.

"He's whistling to keep his courage up. O Max! poor Max! I wish I could
give that man the worst kind of a flogging!" Lulu sighed to herself, then
turned and went into the house.

She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the
bread burn in the oven. It was an inauspicious moment to appear before
her, but Lulu