s time
enough for that!

They were interrupted at this point by a merry shout of glee, and,
looking up, found that young Welland had mounted the see-saw, taken
Lilly Snow in front of him, had Dick Swiller reinstated to
counterbalance his extra weight, and was enjoying himself in a most
hilarious manner among the fluttering rags. Assuredly, the fluttering
rags did not enjoy themselves a whit less hilariously than he.

In this condition he was found by the owner of the grounds, George
Brisbane, Esquire, of Lively Hall, who, accompanied by his wife, and a
tall, dignified friend with a little girl, approached the see-saw.

"I am glad you enjoy yourself so much, my young friend," he said to
Welland; "to which of the ragged schools may you belong?"

In much confusion--for he was rather shy--Welland made several abortive
efforts to check the see-saw, which efforts Dick Swiller resisted to the
uttermost, to the intense amusement of a little girl who held Mrs
Brisbane's hand. At last he succeeded in arresting it and leaped off.

"I beg pardon," he said, taking off his cap to the lady as he advanced,
"for intruding uninvited on--"

"Pray don't speak of intrusion," interrupted Mr Brisbane, extending his
hand; "if you are here as Mr Seaward's friend you are a welcome guest.
Your only intrusion was among the little ones, but as they seem not to
resent it neither do I."

Welland grasped the proffered hand. "Thank you very much," he returned,
"but I can scarcely lay claim to Mr Seaward's friendship. The fact is,
I am here in consequence of an accident to my bicycle."

"Oh! then you _are_ one of the poor unfortunates after all," said the
host. "Come, you are doubly welcome. Not hurt much, I hope. No?
That's all right. But don't let me keep you from your amusements.
Remember, we shall expect you at the feast on the lawn. You see, Sir
Richard," he added, turning to his dignified friend, "when we go in for
this sort of thing we don't do it by halves. To have any lasting
effect, it must make a deep impression. So we have got up all sorts of
amusements, as you observe, and shall have no fewer than two good feeds.
Come, let us visit some other--Why, what are you gazing at so
intently?"

He might well ask the question, for Sir Richard Brandon had just
observed Hetty Frog, and she, unaccustomed to such marked attention, was
gazing in perplexed confusion on the ground. At the same time little
Di, having caught sight of he