ed to pull him away, he struck out at her with his little fists,
and hit her a severe blow on the face. She endeavoured not to cry out,
or to show any one what he had done, for indeed she felt more pain on
his account than on her own. The laird, who had gone to open the door,
did not see what had occurred.

"Let me go that I may wish papa good-night," said Norman, tearing
himself away from Fanny, and running towards Captain Vallery.

"Good-night, my boy," said his papa, who also had not observed his
ill-behaviour. "When I unpack my portmanteau I hope to find some things
for you and Fanny. You shall see them to-morrow morning."

"Cannot you let me have them to-night? I hope you have got something I
like," said Norman, without any thought of thanking his papa for his
kindness.

"I am afraid you must wait till to-morrow," answered Captain Vallery,
not rebuking him. "I have not had time to unpack my portmanteau, so you
must have patience."

"I want the things now," said Norman; "everybody is trying to vex me."

"Go to bed, you are tired," said Captain Vallery soothingly. "Here,
Fanny come and take the poor child off, I see that he has been sitting
up too long."

Norman, indeed, looked flushed and ill, and Fanny hoped that after a
night's rest, he would recollect his promise to try and behave well.
Though he still resisted, she managed to lead him from the room.

"Leave me alone, Fanny," he exclaimed, as soon as they reached the
drawing-room. "I don't want to go to bed, I had some sleep this
afternoon, I have as much right to sit up as anybody else has," and
again he struck out at her.

"My dear Norman, have you already forgotten the promises you made to be
a good boy?" she said gently. "Oh, do try and restrain your temper."

"I did not say I would be good, if people were ill-natured to me, and
granny and Mrs Maclean wanted to stop me from having dessert, and I
should have liked some more, and the laird would have given it me, if it
had not been for them," he answered petulantly. "I never liked old
women, and I do not like them now."

"Hush, hush, Norman," cried Fanny horrified, and fearing that they might
overhear him. "Do go to bed quietly, and I will come and help you if
mamma will let me."

Mrs Vallery who had come from the farther end of the room, observing
that Norman looked flushed and angry, although she had not heard what he
had said, thought it advisable without further delay to carry him o