imply couldn't stand your being
so awfully delighted when Drusie bowled him."

If Hal's sudden display of temper had struck dismay into the hearts of
his brothers and sisters, it had not left him particularly happy
either. Though he would not own it, even to himself, he had an
uncomfortable feeling that it was he who was conceited and
disagreeable. He was, however, full of excuses for himself, and when
his conscience pricked him he answered impatiently that nobody could be
expected to put up with the fearful airs that they had all been giving
themselves.

Then, looking round to see that he was not being followed, he made his
way to a hiding-place he had discovered behind the summer-house, and
proceeded to employ himself there after a fashion of which nurse would
most strongly have disapproved. He remained until the dinner-bell
rang, when he crept out with a pale face and with every bit of his
appetite gone.

He dined alone in the schoolroom, and nurse shook her head as his
plates were carried back to the nursery, for he had scarcely touched
anything that she had sent in to him.

"I hope, Master Hal, you are not going to be ill," she said, as soon as
dinner was over. "What has come to you? You have not eaten anything."

"I am not hungry," Hal muttered, flushing under her scrutinizing gaze.
"I have got rather a headache--that's all."

"Well, don't run about much in the sun," nurse said, only half
satisfied. "You are looking very pale. Put on your straw hat too;
that little cap is of no use at all. And don't go eating any green
apples or gooseberries. I expect you have been in the kitchen-garden
this morning, and that is what is the matter with you."

But it was neither green apples nor gooseberries which had given Hal
the very uncomfortable sensations from which he was suffering. That,
however, he did not explain to nurse; and feeling very wretched and
unhappy he wandered out into the garden, and flung himself under a big,
shady elm-tree. The others were nowhere in sight, and he felt injured
that they should, even after his conduct of the morning, have left him
to himself.

"A nice, sociable set they are," he said moodily. "Oh dear, how I do
wish that I had somebody sensible to play with!"

But though he chose to grumble, he knew perfectly well that he was not
just then in the humour to appreciate any society, however sensible,
and pillowing his head upon his arm he dropped off to sleep.

[Illustr