to him, sacred precincts of the "big house" at Ekero.

Alma felt young and guilty as she met a stout, elderly woman on the
stairs, as she went up with Nono.

"It's the little Italian boy I saw baptized," she said apologetically.

"I've seen many children baptized, Miss Alma, and paid respect to what
was doing, I hope, but I don't have them trudging up and down the grand
staircase--no, not even when the colonel is away in foreign parts.
Miss Alma must do as she pleases, but I'd like the colonel to know that
I see things in order as far as I can. I can't be responsible for boys
like that leaving tracks like a bear behind them."

The comparison to the bear was not meant to be personally offensive
towards Nono, though he always felt that with Bruin he was specially
connected. He had indeed, in his caretaking, not left marks like a
human being as he had tiptoed along, leaving round traces on the
shining floor and stairs, as if a four-footed creature had passed.

Nono was not much accustomed to harsh words, and the reproaches of the
faithful housekeeper increased his awe of the place, where he felt
himself a decided intruder, though following the young mistress at her
express command.

Nono was even more disturbed in mind when he was seated at a beautiful
little writing-table, and requested to write on a fair sheet of paper
laid before him. The first verse of a hymn was dictated to him from
the prettiest little psalm book imaginable. His writing was really
wonderful for a boy of his age. The letters were clear and round, and
almost graceful, with here and there a little flourish of his own
invention, added in his desire to do his best.

[Illustration: "The first verse of a hymn was dictated to him."]

Alma was quite disappointed when she saw that there was no field here
for her instructions. She could hardly write better herself, and by no
means as legibly. She was aiming at a flowing hand, and her efforts
but showed that her character was yet too unformed to attempt such a
dashing style with the pen.

On nearer examination, Nono's spelling was found to be most
exceptionable.

"Have you never been taught spelling at school, Nono?" asked Alma, very
seriously.

"Oh yes!" he answered cheerfully, and forthwith drew himself up as he
stood, and recited the rules for the various ways in which the English
sound "oh" may be represented in Swedish, giving the proper examples
under the rule. This little Nono could