Note: This story was originally serialized in two parts in _Longman's Magazine_ in 1886; it was later reprinted as filler material in the _Favorite Library_ edition of _Little Golden's Daughter_ by Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller. This text is derived from the later reprint, beginning on page 141 of that volume. Images of the original pages are available through the Digital Library of the Falvey Memorial Library, Villanova University. See http://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:322376 Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). A MOCK IDYL. by PERCY ROSS. CONTENTS I. THE PRAISE OF FRIENDSHIP. II. ARLETTA OF FALAISE. III. THE GODDESS. IV. THE WAY TO TAKE A PARTY. V. THE GODDESS IS HUMAN. VI. THE ADMIRAL IS SQUARED. VII. ROSCORIA'S BETROTHED. VIII. THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME. IX. THE WAY WE BEHAVE WHEN WE ARE YOUNG. I. THE PRAISE OF FRIENDSHIP. Tregurtha and Roscoria are friends. Tregurtha is, as his name sufficiently indicates, a Cornishman. He was also a sharp lad, and, before his term of residence at his first dame's school was fairly run out, he cut his cables and escaped to sea. To this act of insubordination he had been instigated mainly by Louis Roscoria, a small schoolfellow, his junior by several years, and his stanch adherent. The two had shared a room, done each other's lessons, worn each other's hats, taken each other's floggings; and, in short, the devil himself had never come between them. But they parted pretty soon, for, encouraged by his young friend's energetic support, Dick Tregurtha made haste to follow his destiny and infuriate his parent by running away to sea. Small Roscoria, who was the good boy of the school and always got the prize for conduct, saw his friend well on his way, wished him God-speed, exchanged pocket-knives with him, and then lay on the grass kicking his heels, and howled in his grief until he got caned for refusing to tell what had become of Tregurtha. The friendship thus grounded on mutual services has never been broken. Dick once wrote from foreign parts an elaborate apology. He said he was sorry, but the sea was his god, and he hoped his father would overlook it. He added that, whether on sea or land, he trusted to be no discredit to the name Tregurtha, and ended by very properly observing, as boys do, that, since he had carved out his own line of action, he should feel his honor engaged to make it a successful one. Tregurtha's rather crusty parent did not overlook it. On receipt of this letter he presently called the rest of the family together and thanked God that he was rid of a knave.