had not; and Elizabeth said that she had seen a turn to the right some way behind them, but that to the left was yet to come.  As they could not agree upon this question, Rupert walked onwards to explore, leaving the young ladies to rest on the trunk of a tree lying by the side of the road.  While he was gone, Elizabeth drew Helen aside, saying, ’Helen, you had better take care, I hope Rupert has not observed how much out of humour you are.’

‘I am not out of humour,’ said Helen, according to the usual fashion of denying such a charge.

‘Then why do you look and speak as if you were?’ said her sister; ‘you had better watch yourself.’

‘I think you are enough to vex anyone, Lizzie,’ said Helen; ’bringing me ever so far out of the way on such a road as this, and then scolding me for saying I do not like it.’

‘I see,’ answered Elizabeth, ’you are not in a fit state to be reasoned with.’

‘No,’ retorted Helen, who had indulged in her ill-humour till she hardly knew what she said, ’you will never condescend to hear what I have to say.  Perhaps it might be as well sometimes if you would.’

‘Yes, Helen,’ said Elizabeth, colouring and turning away, ’it would indeed.  I know I have given you a right to upbraid me.’

At this moment Rupert came back, cheering the drooping courage of the wearied and heated damsels with intelligence, that ’there is no lane without a turning,’ and he had found the one they were seeking.

Things now went on better; they came to a shady green path by the side of a wood, and Helen was more silent, her temper having perhaps been a little improved by the coolness.  Soon, however, they had to cross two long fields, where gleaning was going on merrily; Helen made several complaints of the heat and of the small size of her parasol; and Elizabeth had to catch Dora, and hold her fast, to prevent her from overheating herself by a race after Rupert through the stubble.  At the first stile, Harriet thought proper to make a great outcry, and was evidently quite disposed for a romp, but Rupert helped her over so quietly that she had no opportunity for one.  They now found themselves in a grass field, the length of which made Helen sigh.

‘Why, Helen, how soon you are tired!’ said Rupert; ’I am afraid Dykelands did not agree with you.’

‘Helen is only a little cross, she will be better presently,’ said Dora, in so comical a tone, that Rupert, Katherine, and Harriet all laughed, and Helen said sharply, ‘Dora, do not be pert.’

Rupert was really a very good-natured youth, but it would have required more forbearance than he possessed, to abstain from teazing so tempting a subject as poor Helen was at this moment.

‘And how do you know that Helen is a little cross, Dora, my dear?’ said he.

‘Because she looks so,’ said Dora.

‘And how do people look when they are a little cross, Dora?’