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13. One bright summer's morning Silas had been more engrossed than usual in "setting up setting up" a new piece of work, an occasion on which his scissors were in requisition. These scissors had been kept carefully out of Eppie's reach; but the click of them had a peculiar attraction for her ear. Silas had seated himself in his loom, and the noise of the weaving had begun; but he had left his scissors. on a ledge which Eppie's arm was long enough to reach; and now, like a small mouse, watching her opportunity, she stole quietly from her corner, secured the scissors, and toddled to the bed again, setting up her back as a mode of concealing the fact.

14. She had a distinct intention as to the use of the scissors; and having cut the linen strip in a jagged but effectual manner, in two moments she had run out at the open door where the sunshine was inviting her, while poor Silas believed her to be a better child than usual. It was not until he happened to need his scissors that the terrible fact burst upon him: Eppie had run out by herself - had perhaps fallen into the stone pit.

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15. Silas, shaken by fear, rushed out, calling, Eppie!" and ran eagerly about the uninclosed space, exploring the dry cavities into which she might have fallen, and then gazing with questioning dread at the smooth red surface of the water. The cold drops stood on his brow. How long had

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she been out? There was one hope, that she had crept through the stile, and got into the fields where he usually took her to stroll.

16. But the grass was high in the meadow, and there was no descrying her, if she were there, except by a close search. Poor Silas, after peering all round the hedge rows, traversed the grass, beginning with perturbed vision to see Eppie behind every group of red sorrel, and to see her moving always farther off as he approached. The meadow was searched in vain; and he got over the stile into the next field, looking with dying hope towards a small pond which was now reduced to its summer shallowness, so as to leave a wide margin of good adhesive mud.

17. Here, however, sat Eppie, discoursing cheerfully to her own small boot, which she was using as a bucket to convey the water into a deep hoof mark, while her little naked foot was planted comfortably on a cushion of olive-green mud. A red-headed calf was observing her with alarmed doubt through the opposite hedge.

18. Silas, overcome with joy at finding his treasure again, could do nothing but snatch her up and cover her with half-sobbing kisses. It was not until he had carried her home and had begun to think of the necessary washing, that he recollected the need that he should punish Eppie and "make her remember." The idea that she might run away again and come

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to harm gave him unusual resolution, and for the first time he determined to try the coal hole - a small closet near the hearth.

19. "Naughty, naughty Eppie," he suddenly began, holding her on his knee, and pointing to her muddy feet and clothes; "naughty to cut with the scissors and run away. Eppie must go into the coal hole for being naughty. coal hole."

Daddy must put her in the

20. He half expected that this would be shock enough, and that Eppie would begin to cry. But instead of that she began to shake herself on his knee as if the plan opened a pleasing novelty. He put her in the coal hole and held the door closed, with a trembling sense that he was using a strong measure.

21. For a moment there was silence. Then came a little cry, "Open, open!" and Silas let her out again, saying, "Now Eppie will never be naughty again, else she must go in the coal hole-a black, naughty place."

The weaving must stand still a long while this morning, for now Eppie must be washed and have clean clothes on; but it was to be hoped that this punishment would have a lasting effect, and save time in future though, perhaps, it would have been better if Eppie had cried more.

22. In half an hour she was clean again. Silas, having turned his back to see what he could do with

the linen band, threw it down again, with the reflection that Eppie would be good without fastening for the rest of the morning. He turned round again, and was going to place her in her little chair near the loom, when she peeped out at him with black face and hands again, and said, "Eppie in de toal hole!"

I. Mỹs tē'ri oŭs lỹ: in a way difficult or impossible to understand. Ag'i tat ĕd: disturbed; excited. Dis perse': drive away; scatter. In ex'pli ca ble: that cannot be explained. In'flux: a flowing in. Un con'scious ly: not purposely; without being aware of. Pos'türe: position. Griev'ançe: trouble; grief.

II. De viş'ing: planning; inventing. En grossed': occupied wholly. Req ui si'tion: requirement; need. Dé scrỹ'ing: seeing; discovering. Per türbed': disturbed; troubled. Ad he'sive: sticky.

Charles and Mary Lamb

1. Few brothers and sisters have been so closely united in joys and sorrows throughout a lifetime as Charles and Mary Lamb.

Charles Lamb was born in London, February 10, 1775. Mary was eleven years his senior, but as children they began their literary studies by "browsing" together in an old library.

2. John Lamb, a poor clerk, would hardly have been able to give his son educational advantages had not it been for the help of a friend, who placed Charles in Christ Church School. This is a quaint old Lon

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