“Yes,” Max answered in a half-reluctant tone, getting up to give her his place.

“There are hazel-nuts right over there a little way,” Lulu said, pointing with her finger.

“Oh, then I’ll have some!” cried Max, starting on a run in the direction indicated.

He came back after a while bringing some in his hat, picked up some stones, and seating himself near the others, cracked his nuts, sharing generously with them.

Presently Lulu had her first bite, succeeded in bringing her prize safely to land, and was quite wild with delight.

Max rejoiced with her, taking brotherly pride in her success.

“You’ll do for a fisherman or fisherwoman,” he said gayly.  “I sha’n’t be much surprised if you beat me at it one o’ these days.”

Then struck with a sudden unwelcome thought, “I wonder what time it is!” he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground in haste and perturbation.  “Do you s’pose it’s noon yet, Jim?”

“Which way’s the sun?” queried the latter, glancing toward the sky; “it ought to be right overhead at noon.  Why, it’s down some toward the west!  I shouldn’t wonder if it’s as late as two o’clock.”

“Two o’clock!” cried Max in dismay, “and I was to be back by noon!  Won’t I catch it!” and he began gathering up his fish and fishing-tackle in great haste, Jim doing likewise, with the remark that he would be late to dinner and maybe have to go without.

Lulu was giving Max all the assistance in her power, her face full of sympathy.

“Max,” she whispered, hurrying along close at his side as they started on their homeward way, “don’t let that horrid, cruel, wicked man beat you!  I wouldn’t.  I’d fight him like anything!”

Max shook his head. “’Twouldn’t do any good, Lulu; he’s so much bigger and stronger than I am that fighting him would be worse for me than taking the thrashing quietly.”

“I could never do that!” she said.  “But don’t wait for me if you want to go faster.”

“I don’t,” said Max.

“Well, I b’lieve I’d better make all the haste I can,” said Jim.  “So good-by,” and away he sped.

“Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!” sighed Lulu.

“Max, can’t we write him a letter?”

“I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes.”

“I wouldn’t let him.  I’d hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in the post-office myself.”

“I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must always know what I do with it.  It’s the same way with my pocket money; so I can’t buy postage-stamps; and I don’t know how to direct the letter either.”

“Oh dear! and it’s just the same way with me!” sighed Lulu.  “When will papa come?  I’m just sick to see him and tell him everything!”

When they reached Mrs. Scrimp’s door Max gave Lulu his string of fish, saying, “Here, take them, Sis.  It’s no use for me to keep ’em, for I shouldn’t get a taste; and maybe they’ll put her in a good humor with you.”