nsense as has been troubling
your silly heads; you will understand that, the moment you hear him."

Gerald made a feeble protest to the effect that he hated fiddling, but
there was little hope in his tone. And he was promptly reminded of his
having spent his last fifty cents the winter before on a ticket for
Sarasate's concert, and saying that it was the best investment he ever
made.

The boys knew that their cause was lost; and when Bell added, as a
clincher, "Ask Mammy, and see what she says," they retired from the
unequal contest.

"Oh, we know what Mammy will say! Don't hit us when we are down, Bell.
We'll go, and make asses of ourselves as well as we know how."

"Oh, not that, dears, I entreat!" cried Bell; and then ran swiftly into
the house, laughing.

The twins resumed their occupation of pitching gravel stones, but a
change had come over their spirits. Phil was actually whistling, and
Gerald hummed a bass with perfect cheerfulness. The cat came back across
the lawn, and they threw stones before her nose and behind her tail,
avoiding contact with her person (for she was a beloved cat, in hours of
joy), and contenting themselves with seeing her skip hither and thither
in uninjured surprise.

"Philly!"

"Yes, Jerry!"

"Us feels a lot better, don't us, Philly?"

"H'm!" said Phil, and the sound was now one of content and peace.

"She's not a bad sort, the Tintinnabula!" Gerald went on, meditatively.
"She doesn't harry a fellow, as some fellows' sisters do. She pokes you
up and smooths you down at the same time, somehow. That's the way a girl
ought to be--my opinion. Come along, Ferguson, and let's do something to
celebrate!"

"All right!" said Phil. "What shall we do?"

"Oh, any old thing! Come along!"

And they went and wrestled in the conservatory, and broke three
flower-pots, and had a delightful morning.

CHAPTER XII.

JIMMY'S POND.

SO it came to pass that, as Jack Ferrers was strolling about the garden
with Hugh after dinner, talking about old times, and pausing at every
other step to greet some favourite shrub or stick or stone,--it came to
pass that he heard steps at the gate, and, turning, saw the Messrs.
Merryweather, holding themselves very straight, and looking very
sheepish. They had compromised with Bell on skating dress, instead of
the detested "good clothes," and Gerald carried several pairs of skates
in his hand. They fumbled with the latch a moment, during which Jack