like, and I want to kick it all by myself."

"You are an independent little fellow," observed his father approvingly,
instead of rebuking him for his rude remark.

Captain Vallery stood by, allowing Norman to kick the ball backwards and
forwards, which he did for some time, declaring on each occasion that if
it reached either one side of the shrubbery or the other he had won the
game--not a very difficult matter, considering that he had no one to
oppose him.

At length, the gong sounding, Captain Vallery went in to dress for
dinner, and Norman was left to play by himself, for, Fanny finding she
was not wanted, had entered the house, and, after exhibiting her doll to
Susan, had gone to her room to introduce Miss Lucy to Nancy and to her
future abode.

Norman soon grew weary of being by himself, and with his big ball in his
arms, wandered into the house. Making his way into the drawing-room, he
there found among a number of Indian curiosities which had just been
unpacked, and which his papa intended to hang up against the wall, a
long knife. Though Norman was very forward in some things, and could
talk better than many boys older than he was, yet he was very ignorant
in others, but of that, like many more ignorant people, he was not
aware. "I should like to see the wind papa told me was inside this big
ball," he said to himself; "perhaps there is something else besides
wind, it feels pretty soft--I daresay I could easily cut it open with
this knife and see." He took the knife and examined it, "I must not do
it here though, or they may be coming downstairs and stop me," so
tucking the knife under one arm, and holding the big ball in the other,
he went along the passage and out at the garden door. He at first
proposed going to the further end of the garden, where he need have no
fear of being interrupted, then he recollected his performance of the
morning, and thought that the gardener might be there, and would scold
him for digging up Fanny's plants, so instead of going there, he made
his way along the side of the house, till he reached another door, which
led to the larder.

"The cook won't be coming in here at this hour, as she is serving up the
dinner, so I shall have the place all to myself!" he observed, thinking
how clever he was.

He accordingly went in and closed the door.

"Now I shall soon find out what is inside my ball," he said chuckling
and placing it on the ground. Putting one foot on it, to h