te to me, as I'm the eldest,' said Molly proudly; 'if
you'll be very good I'll read you his letter.' And producing a very
crumpled envelope from her pocket, she read:--

'DEAR MADAM MOLLY,--

'I have had orders from your respected parents to come down for an
inspection of you all; so expect me Tuesday, the 27th inst. Tell nurse
all complaints will be attended to, and punishment duly administered.
She must get me a room somewhere for a week, as I have heard there is
good fishing in your neighbourhood. My love to doughty Douglas and the
three B's.

'Your affectionate uncle,
'HARRY.

'P.S.--Tell nurse I shall bring a rod with me.'

'Isn't he a funny dear?' went on Molly. 'He pretends he's coming to
punish us! Won't we have fun when he comes!'

'He doesn't know there are six of us now,' observed Betty, with
sparkling eyes; 'I wonder what he will say to Prince.'

The children could do little else but talk about their uncle's coming
visit for the next week; and when at last Tuesday arrived, they were in
a great state of excitement. Nurse could hardly curb their turbulent
spirits. Captain Stuart was adored by his little nephews and nieces,
and his visits were always a golden time. At last, after rescuing
Douglas from a farm wagon that he was driving off during the carter's
absence, Molly and Betty from an infuriated sow that they were trying
to wash under the pump, and Bobby and Billy from a hay-cutter they were
meditating using, nurse locked up all the five in the garret, hoping
they would be safe there until their uncle arrived. Prince was left
outside; and all Betty's beseeching petitions that he might share their
punishment were unheeded by nurse. So Prince crouched down outside the
door, patiently keeping watch, and now and then responding to his
little mistress's voice through the keyhole by sundry whines and barks.

'Nurse won't dare to put us in cells after to-day,' said Douglas
wrathfully; 'she is just doing it to pretend to Uncle Harry that we're
always in disgrace; and I hate her!'

'And I was going down to the brook to get some forget-me-nots, to put
in Uncle Harry's room,' said Molly plaintively.

'It's wather nice being punished all together,' said Bobby, who always
dreaded being left alone.

Betty said nothing; her curly head was out of one of the windows, and
she was deep in thought. At last she drew it in.

'S'posing the house was to take fire, and we were all to be locked in
h