Part 5 (1/2)

They waited for some time; but still no one cae,' said Marjorie 'I wonder whether Neil has forgotten us'

The door was pushed half open, and Neil's face looked out of the aperture, with his itated, and Neil looked at the others as though he did not see them

CHAPTER III

A SURPRISE

'Allan,' said Mrs Stewart, coo to Stornwell and will not be back until to-morrow, so there will be no cricket or, asking you all to spend the day at Corranht, Mother,' replied Allan; 'when are we to be there?'

'Mrs MacGregor asks you to co the letter; 'I had better send you in the dog-cart, as it's rather far to walk Duncan is driving your father to the stea-cart, Mother,' said Allan; 'it would be much jollier to walk; and we'd like to look in at Mrs Macdonnell's cottage on the way and ask what's the matter with Neil We haven't seen hio there to-day, I think,' interposed Mrs Stewart hurriedly 'I don't think Neil will be at home I'm afraid the ould be toopeople were looking surprised

'Not if we start now, I think, Mother, and give Tricksy a rest now and again What do you say, Tricksy?'

'Of course I can walk,' said Tricksy 'I shan't be a bit tired, Mother'

Mrs Stewart looked at her little daughter with a s it, Tricksy; she said 'You are always trying to do as much as the others, who are so much older than yourself Well, do as you like; I leave you in Allan's charge, and he will see that you are not ie; 'but won't you co, dear I will coht, Mother,' said Reggie; 'but it's a long tione anywhere with us Cut away upstairs, Tricksy, and get your hat; it's time we started if we are to take rests on the way'

'Don't you think Mother is very quiet?' observed Tricksy, as the three young people, acco the ?'

'I did not notice anything,' said Allan

Tricksy had almost said, 'No, boys never do, but checked herself in time

The road between Ardnavoir and Corranh fields and ht into view fascinating gli inland between brown rocks Fishi+ng-boats hite and russet sails lay upon water turned to a sheet of silver by the sunlight, and grey and white gulls floated about and screa the war brine and the odour of seaweed to le with the perfuhtly beside his young friends, waving his tail in the air, and now and again pausing to investigate a rabbit-burrow or an interesting tuft of heather or cotton-grass

'Well, Tricksy, getting tired yet?' said Allan to his little sister after they had walked between three and fourdeterait which betrayed that she _was_

'I think we'll rest awhile,' said Allan, and the three young folk sat down upon a patch of fragrant, springy heather, while Laddie, after looking at them for a minute, surprised at such an early halt, curled hiet the yacht out soon,' said Allan, watching the sea and the fishi+ng-boats

'Yes,' said Reggie; 'he is very late this year'

'He won't be long now,' said Allan 'We are going to have visitors soon Father has written to ask Graham major and Graham minor and their Pater to co holidays this year, owing to the ie