but recollecting what
he had said to Mr. Thorpe, contented himself with poking the fire. The
book in question was a certain romance, entitled "Jack and the Bean
Stalk," adorned with illustrations in the freest style of water-color
art.

"If you want to look at picture-books, you know what books you may have
to-day; and your mamma will get them for you when she comes in again,"
continued Mr. Thorpe.

The works now referred to were, an old copy of the "Pilgrim's Progress"
containing four small prints of the period of the last century; and a
"Life of Moses," illustrated by severe German outlines in the manner of
the modern school. Zack knew well enough what books his father meant,
and exhibited his appreciation of them by again beginning to wriggle his
shoulders in and out of his frock. He had evidently had more than enough
already of the "Pilgrim's Progress" and the "Life of Moses."

Mr. Thorpe said nothing more, and returned to his reading. Mr. Goodworth
put his hands in his pockets, yawned disconsolately, and looked, with
a languidly satirical expression in his eyes, to see what his grandson
would do next. If the thought passing through the old gentleman's mind
at that moment had been put into words, it would have been exactly
expressed in the following sentence:--"You miserable little boy! When I
was your age, how I should have kicked at all this!"

Zack was not long in finding a new resource. He spied Mr. Goodworth's
cane standing in a corner; and, instantly getting astride of it,
prepared to amuse himself with a little imaginary horse-exercise up and
down the room. He had just started at a gentle canter, when his father
called out, "Zachary!" and brought the boy to a stand-still directly.

"Put back the stick where you took it from," said Mr. Thorpe; "you
mustn't do that on Sunday. If you want to move about, you can walk up
and down the room."

Zack paused, debating for an instant whether he should disobey or burst
out crying.

"Put back the stick," repeated Mr. Thorpe.

Zack remembered the dressing-room and the "Select Bible Texts for
Children," and wisely obeyed. He was by this time completely crushed
down into as rigid a state of Sunday discipline as his father could
desire. After depositing the stick in the corner, he slowly walked up to
Mr. Goodworth, with a comical expression of amazement and disgust in his
chubby face, and meekly laid down his head on his grandfather's knee.

"Never say die, Zack,"