Maria is waiting for her little cousin to come and play with her in papa's bed-room. She is standing on the top of the stairs listening, and is wondering why she does not come. She will come up presently, I suppose, and then they will have a nice game all to themselves, without disturbing any one in the house.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"YOU SHAN'T COME IN."

The boys are at home just now for their holidays, and mama is half distracted with their noise. When it is fine they prefer to be in the fields, but when it is wet they are chasing one another about all the day long. One of them has just run up into this room, and is telling his brothers outside they shall not come in.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CAUGHT.

Master Andrew has just been caught by the old gentleman, who is giving him a few smart strokes with his cane. I am glad of it, for he is a mischievous lad. He was sent to school just now, but instead of hastening there he thought he would stroll through the plantation and see if he could find any birds' nests. Now the old gentleman is very fond of his birds, and will not have them molested. Hearing the crashing of the boughs, he soon discovered the offender, and after a short chase caught him. This beating serves Andrew right, and I hope he will in future leave the poor birds alone.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"BE A GOOD DOLLY."

Louisa is so fond of her dolls. She has two of them, and places a pillow in her little basket chaise, and draws them about the garden. She is as attentive to them as if they were two little babies, and takes more care of them than some thoughtless mothers do of their children. She is going to take them out for a ride this morning, and is kissing them. I hope she will make them a comfortable seat on the pillows, or else they will not have a very nice ride.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE LITTLE SQUIRREL.

The children are offering some bread to a pretty squirrel their father found in the wood.

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NEARLY DRESSED.

Matilda is nearly dressed. She will be ready for her breakfast now in a few minutes, and then must make haste to school.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE KITES.

There is a nice breeze this afternoon, and this hill-side is just the place for flying a kite. Two kites are already flying merrily up in the sky, and our two young friends will fly theirs when they get a little higher up, near the windmill.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE PETS.]

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THE BOOKSELLER.

The boys like to call on Mr. Leaf, because he has such nice books. But sometimes they merely sit down and read them.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

TAKING A PHOTOGRAPH.

The squire has called at the studio to-day to have his carte taken, and the photographer is placing him in the best position.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

RATHER TIGHT.

Richard has come for a pair of boots, and is trying a pair on, but he thinks they are rather too small for him.