m a loop
of string.

"Well, it has been a nice day," he said, cheerfully, rubbing his
hands. "The wind was fair both ways. We did some fishing, and I caught
this big fellow. I don't know when I have enjoyed any thing so much.
What sort of a day have you had, little daughter?"

Eyebright began to tell him, but at the same time began to cry, which
made her story rather difficult to understand. Mr. Bright looked very
grave when at last he comprehended the danger she had been in.

"I shan't dare to go anywhere again," he said. "I thought I could
trust you, Eyebright. I supposed you were too sensible and steady to
do such a wild thing as this. I am very much surprised and very much
disappointed."

These words were the heaviest punishment which Eyebright could have
had, for she was proud of being trusted and trustworthy. Papa had sat
down and was leaning his head on his hand in a dispirited way. All his
bright look was overclouded,--the pleasant day seemed forgotten and
almost spoiled. She felt that it was her fault, and reproached herself
more than ever.

"Oh, please don't say that, papa," she pleaded, tearfully. "I _can_ be
trusted, really and truly I can. I won't ever go to any dangerous
place alone again, really I won't. Just forgive me this time, and
you'll see how good I'll be all the rest of my life."

So papa forgave her, and she kept her promise, and never did go off on
any thoughtless expeditions again, as long as she lived on Causey
Island.

CHAPTER X.

A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.

It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging
up the stockings before going to bed. Papa, who had a headache, had
retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her. She only wished
there had been. Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is
nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in
corners and bringing them out at just the right moment. Very carefully
she tied papa's stocking to the corner of the chimney and proceeded to
"fill" it; that is, to put in a pair of old fur gloves which she had
discovered in one of the boxes, and had mended by way of a surprise,
and a small silk bag full of hickory-nut meats, carefully picked from
the shells. These were all the Christmas gifts she had been able to
get for papa, and the long gray stocking-leg looked very empty to her
eyes. She had wished much to knit him a comforter, but it was three
weeks and more since e