lder than I am, and I looked up to him."

"Proof of what I said, Frank," cried Sir Robert, clapping his son upon
the shoulder. "He is a bright, showy lad; but you carry more ballast
than he. Brag's a good dog, you know, but Holdfast's a better. Now,
then, I think you ought to be going back. Good-bye, my boy. I look to
you to be your mother's protector more and more. Perhaps in the future
I may be absent. But you must go now, for I have an important letter to
write. My dear love to your mother, and come to me again whenever you
have a chance."

Sir Robert went down to the garden door with his son, and let him out
that way into the Park.

"Mind," he said at parting. "Keep away from political mobs."

"I will," said Frank to himself, as he turned back. "Well, it will be
all right going with Drew this afternoon, as it is only to feed the
ducks."

CHAPTER SIX.

FRANK FEEDS THE DUCKS.

Something very nearly akin to a guilty feeling troubled Frank upon
meeting his fellow-page that afternoon; but his father's promise, in
conjunction with his words respecting Andrew's actions being merely
those of an enthusiastic boy, helped to modify the trouble he felt, and
in a few minutes it passed off. For Andrew began by asking how his
friend's father was, and praising him.

"I always liked your father, Frank," he said; "but he's far too good for
where he is. Well, we're off duty till the evening. Ready for our
run?"

"Oh yes, I'm ready," said Frank, laughing; "but you won't run unless
somebody's carriage is being mobbed. You could go fast enough then."

"Well, of course I can run if I like. Come along."

"Where's the bread?" asked Frank.

"Bread? What bread? Are you hungry already?"

"No, no; the bread you talked about."

"The bread I talked about? What nonsense! I never said anything about
bread that I can remember."

"Well, you said we were going to feed the ducks."

"Oh-h-oh!" ejaculated Andrew; and he then burst into a hearty fit of
laughter. "Of course: so I did. I didn't think of it. Well, perhaps
we had better take some. Ring the bell, and ask one of the footmen to
bring you some."

Frank thought it strange that his companion, after proposing that they
should go and feed the ducks, had forgotten all about the bread.
However, he said no more, but rang, and asked the servant to get him a
couple of slices.

The man stared, but withdrew, and came back directly.

"I beg your pardon, si