ow innocent she was of any such intention
burst into tears.

"Indeed, dear mamma, I only tried to get Norman to play with Trusty and
to make friends with him, I did not for a moment think he would be
frightened," and she ran forward and tried to kiss her brother in order
to soothe him, but he now believed himself safe from the dog, who
sagaciously perceiving that something was wrong had stopped jumping, and
lay quietly on the ground, and as she approached he received her with a
box on the ears.

"Take that for setting the dog at me," he exclaimed maliciously.

Fanny stood hanging down her head as if she had been guilty, but really
feeling ashamed of her brother's behaviour.

"That was very naughty of you, Norman," said Mrs Vallery, holding back
the young tyrant, who was endeavouring again to strike his sister.

She then carried him into the drawing-room; Fanny followed her without a
thought of vindicating herself, but wished to try and calm her young
brother and to assure him that Trusty was only in play.

His mamma sat down with him on her knee. Mrs Leslie inquired whether
he had hurt himself.

"He has been frightened by the dog, and says that Fanny set the animal
at him," answered Mrs Vallery.

"That is impossible," observed Mrs Leslie, "Fanny could not have done
anything of the sort."

"She is a cruel thing, and wants the dog to bite me," growled out Norman
in a whining tone, still half crying.

"I will answer for it that Fanny is much more likely to have tried to
prevent the dog from frightening you, for I am sure that he would not
bite you. Come here, Fanny, I know that you will speak the truth."

Fanny felt grateful to her grandmamma for her remark, and explained
exactly what had occurred.

Mrs Vallery was convinced that she was innocent, and Norman was at last
persuaded to return with her into the garden. Fanny talked to him
gently, and tried to make him forget his fright.

"Come to the tool-house where I keep my spade and hoe and rake. There
is a little spade which I used to use, it will just suit you, and we
will go and arrange the garden you are to have," she said as they went
along.

"That is an old thing you have done with," growled Norman scornfully, as
she gave him the little spade, "I must have a new one of my own."

"I hope papa will give you one," she answered quietly, "but in the
meantime will you not use this?"

Norman took it, eyeing it disdainfully, but Fanny, making no remar