ear it explained,' said Laura, quietly.

'Soon! If I had an many available legs as you, would I wait for other
people's soon?'

'I should think she had rather be left to mamma,' said Laura, going on
with her work.

'Then you do think there is something in it?' said Charles, peering up
in her face; but he saw he was teasing her, recollected that she
had long seemed out of spirits, and forbore to say any more. He was,
however, too impatient to remain longer quiet, and presently Laura saw
him adjusting his crutches.

'O Charlie! I am sure it will only be troublesome.'

'I am going to my own room,' said Charles, hopping off. 'I presume you
don't wish to forbid that.'

His room had a door into the dressing-room, so that it was an excellent
place for discovering all from which they did not wish to exclude him,
and he did not believe he should be unwelcome; for though he might
pretend it was all fun and curiosity, he heartily loved his little Amy.

The tap of his crutches, and the slow motion with which he raised
himself from step to step, was heard, and Amy, who was leaning against
her mother, started up, exclaiming--

'O mamma, here comes Charlie! May I tell him? I am sure I can't meet him
without.'

'I suspect he has guessed it already,' said Mrs. Edmonstone, going
to open the door, just as he reached the head of the stairs, and then
leaving them.

'Well, Amy,' said he, looking full at her carnation cheeks, 'are you
prepared to see me turn lead-coloured, and fall into convulsions, like
the sister with the spine complaint?'

'O Charlie! You know it. But how?'

Amy was helping him to the sofa, laid him down, and sat by him on the
old footstool; he put his arm round her neck, and she rested her head on
his shoulder.

'Well, Amy,' I give you joy, my small woman,' said he, talking the more
nonsense because of the fullness in his throat; 'and I hope you give me
credit for amazing self-denial in so doing.'

'O Charlie--dear Charlie!' and she kissed him, she could not blush more,
poor little thing, for she had already reached her utmost capability of
redness--'it is no such thing.'

'No such thing? What has turned you into a turkey-cock all at once or
what made him nearly squeeze off my unfortunate fingers? No such thing,
indeed!'

'I mean--I mean, it is not _that_. We are so very young, and I am so
silly.'

'Is that his reason?'

'You must make me so much better and wiser. Oh, if I could but be good
enoug