“Oh where’s my bird?” cried Violet, reminded of it by this little episode.  “I laid it down to look at Elsie’s watch, and oh it’s gone!  Mamma, mamma, I’m so sorry!”

“I am too, dear, for your sake,” the mother said, putting an arm about her and kissing the wet cheek, for the tears had begun to flow again.  “Was it the bird Ranger killed?”

“Yes, mamma, I was going to ask you to get it stuffed for me.”

“Some cat has got it, no doubt,” said Mr. Ross.  “But don’t cry:  it couldn’t hurt it, you know, after it was dead.”

“If it only had a heaven to go to,” sobbed Vi

“Perhaps it has,” said the gentleman kindly.  “I really don’t think,” turning to Mrs. Travilla, “that the Bible says anything to the contrary; it seems to me to simply leave the matter in doubt.”

“I know,” she answered thoughtfully, “that it is the generally accepted belief that there is no hereafter for the lower animals; yet it has occurred to me, too, that the Bible does not positively assert it; and some of the poor creatures have such a suffering life in this world that it makes my heart ache to think there is no other for them”

“Papa,” asked Archie, “don’t you think Ranger deserved to be sold for killing that bird and trying to bite Vi?”

“That’s a question you should have propounded before selling him, that and another; ‘May I sell him.’”

“I wish you’d let Phelim go and buy him back,” remarked the boy, looking very uncomfortable at the thought of having to do the errand himself.

“No, sir,” returned the father decidedly, “the mischief you have done you must undo yourself.  Ah, Harry, go and ask if any letters came to-day.”

“I asked,” said Gertrude.  “There was just one; from Phil,” and she drew it from her pocket and handed it to her father.

“What does he say?” Mrs. Ross inquired when he had glanced over it.

“Not much, except that he’s to be here to-morrow, and wants the carriage sent to the depot for him,” he answered, handing it to her.

“Good!” said Gertrude, with much satisfaction.  “We always have more fun when Phil’s at home.”

“Except when he picks a quarrel with you or some of us,” remarked Harry.

“For shame, Hal!” said his mother.  “The quarrels, if there are any, are as likely to be begun by you, as any one else.”

Lucy was proud and fond of her first-born, and always ready to shield him from blame.  He was in his mother’s eyes as the king, who could do no wrong, but to others a spoiled child, a wilful, headstrong, domineering boy.

Yet he was not without his good qualities, brave, frank, affectionate, and generous to a fault, many hearts besides those of his doting parents were drawn to him in sincere affection; Elsie’s among the rest; yet she dreaded exposing her little sons to Phil’s influence; Edward especially as nearer Phil’s age, and because, though much improved by good training, his natural disposition was very similar.  But she had not seen Philip for two years, and hoped he might have changed for the better.