to the fisherman’s house without leave, especially as she knew that Mrs. Stanhope would probably object.  Yet, how could she have left those poor people without help, when she found that she could do so much for them, and they reminded her so much of her family at home?  Probably Mrs. Stanhope would send her and Fani away, but she deserved it and Fani did not.  The more the poor girl pondered over all this trouble, the more unhappy she became; and at last she burst into tears and sobbed out:—­

“Oh, if I only had some one to help me.  I cannot tell what to do!”

Then Elsli remembered that she could bring her trouble to her Heavenly Father, and seek comfort and forgiveness from him.  She had already repeated her daily evening prayer; but now she folded her hands again, and prayed, not as a form but from the bottom of her heart, that God would help her in her dire need, so that Fani should not be punished for her fault, and that she should not do wrong again, and that the fisherman’s family should not suffer any more.  Peace came as she prayed, and she lay down and slept at last.

CHAPTER VII.

AN UNEXPECTED TERMINATION.

Directly after dinner Emma and Fani had started on their expedition.  They had no trouble to-day in finding their way to the willows, and they went as quickly as they could, so that they could have a long afternoon, and yet get back in time for Oscar’s Festival.

They found the boat ready for them; oars and pole all in position, and a seat in the middle.  The boat was but lightly fastened to the shore, and the children sprang gayly into it.  Emma took the oars and pushed off.  She rowed well, and knew what she was about.  She handled the boat skilfully, for she had often been out on the lake with her friend when the wind blew and the waves were high.

Fani took his seat in the stern, saying:—­

“When you want my help, just say so, Emma.  But I don’t know anything at all about rowing.”

“I shan’t need you,” answered Emma, bravely, as she pulled away.

Two things, however, she had not counted on.  The boat was much heavier than that which she had used on the lake, and the swift current of the river was a very different thing to row against, from the quiet waters of a lake.  Emma worked sturdily against the stream.  She wanted to go out far enough to be in full sight of the ruined castle.  She had arranged in her mind a plan for keeping the boat in place while Fani sketched.  But she soon began to find herself growing very tired, while yet she made little head-way.

“Take the pole, Fani,” she said, “and stick it firmly against the bottom and push.”  Fani did so, and the boat made an advance of several feet.  “Again, again, Fani.”  Fani did his best.

“Now I’ll row a bit farther into the middle of the river, then hold fast so that we shall not be carried down; here we are! there is the ruin, Fani!  Now, Fani, stick the pole down, and I’ll hold it and you can begin to sketch.”