Part 6 (1/2)

”It's the kangaroo!” said Gardener, in great exciteot loose--and it's sure to be lost--and what a way Mr Giles will be in! I o and tell him Or stop, I'll try and catch it”

But in vain--it darted once or twice across the ice, dodging hiht it by the tail--to the children's great delight--then it vanished entirely

”I o and tell Mr Giles directly,” said Gardener, and then stopped For he had prooose chase, after an escaped kangaroo But he et half a crown as a reward, and he was sure of another glass of cider

”You just stop quiet here, and I'll be back in five o a little way on the ice--I think it's sound enough; only mind you don't tumble in, for there'll be nobody to pull you out”

”Oh no,” said the children, clapping their hands They did not care for tulad there was nobody there to pull the ti across the snowy field, he had taken away their lunch in his pocket, too

Off they darted, the three elder boys, with a good run; the biggest of the girls followed after the one after the other, as fast as a railway train, across the slippery ice

And, like a railway train, they had a collision, and all cahing, to the high bank on the other side The two younger ones stoodthe others from the opposite bank--when there stood beside them a s between the hold of a hand of each His was so warm and theirs so cold, that it was quite comfortable And then, soe--I think it was peppermint, but am not sure; which comforted them still more

”Did you want me to play with you?” cried the Brownie; ”then here I aether?”

No sooner said than done The two children felt the--with Brownie between them; up the lake, and down the lake, and across the lake, not at all interfering with the sliders--indeed, it was a great deal better than sliding Rosy and breathless, their toes so nice and war like mince-pies just taken out of the oven--the little ones ca, and looked toward Broith entreating eyes He swung hih, and then turned head over heels on to the ice

”Halloo! you don't --if the two eldest will give a slide to the little ones”

He watched them take a tiny sister between the with delight Then he took the two middle children in either hand

”One, two, three, and away!” Off they started--scudding along as light as feathers and as fast as steaines, over the smooth, black ice, so clear that they could see the bits of stick and water-grasses frozen in it, and even the little fishes swih

When all had had their fair turns, they began to be frightfully hungry

[Illustration: The two little children felt thee 64]

”Catch a fish for dinner, and I'll lend you a hook,” said Brownie At which they all laughed, and then looked rather grave Pulling a cold, raw live fish fro it was not a pleasant idea of dinner ”Well, ould you like to have? Let the little one choose”

She said, after thinking a ive all you a bit of it--a very large bit--I would indeed!”

added she, alry

”Do it, then!” said the Brownie, in his little squeaking voice

I on--a round, hard stone, and so cold!--turned into a nice hot cake--so hot that she jumped up directly As soon as she sahat it was, she clapped her hands for joy

”Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful cake! only we haven't got a knife to cut it”

The boys felt in all their pockets, but somehow their knives never were there when they anted

”Look! you've got one in your hand!” said Brownie to the little one; and that minute a bit of stick she held turned into a bread-knife--silver, with an ivory handle--big enough and sharp enough, without being too sharp For the youngest girl was not allowed to use sharp knives, though she liked cutting things excessively, especially cakes