Dinner time now came round, the party were on _tip-toe_. As they all took their seats, Mrs. Barrington looked at them with much earnestness. She thought she discerned a little anxiety on Howard’s brow, and George seemed restive. But this might arise from impatience to be out; it was three o’clock, and they would have but two hours before sunset. She, however, took no notice of this, but bidding the servant hasten the dessert, she told them they might withdraw in a few minutes, without waiting, as was their custom, till the cloth was removed,――away they flew, were soon coated, and sallied forth. The grand decision was made; they went to a number of shops――made their purchases, and just as it began to grow dark, they rang at the hall door, in high glee. Mrs. Barrington was seated on the sofa in the drawing room, when the door opened, and Emma first made her appearance, holding behind her a beautiful red morocco work box, which she produced as soon as she came near her mother. “See, mamma,” said she, “this was Howard’s choice; he thought it would be more useful than any toy: and I think, mamma, I shall be able to keep it a great while; see, it has thimble, scissors, needle case, and all in it.” “Yes, it is very complete,” said her mamma, “and very well chosen, for it is plain, and strongly made: now, if it only encourages you to be industrious, I shall be rejoiced.” “O yes, mamma,” said Emma, “I mean to begin to hem your cambrick handkerchiefs, this very evening, and will furnish my pretty box with needles, pins, cotton balls, &c.” Just at this moment in came Howard and George, and Mrs. B. could scarce refrain from laughing; the mingled sensations at the same time affected her, when the latter, with a military air, marched in, with his small barrelled gun, saying, “now I can be a sportsman, and by next Christmas, mother, you shall have as fine a brace of partridges as ever graced a gentleman’s table, or if you like them better, wood-cocks, or pheasants, or reed-birds; I dare say you will like them the best, they are so delicate. Mother, you look grave,” said the sprightly boy; “why it is not worth while, for I’m sure both General Washington and General La Fayette, handled a gun before they were my age, or else they never would have known how to frighten the British so; come, cheer up mother, may be I may be a General some of these days.” The gun was only moderately commended; it was very good of its kind, his father said, (who by this time had come into the parlour to witness the scene,) and not a dear purchase; but Mrs. Barrington did not like to see it in George’s hand; she would not have felt so much fear had it belonged to Howard. However, the purchase was now made; she had told them they must not change their minds after once deciding; so nothing more could be done at present; but she intended making an appeal to his feelings when he returned into the country, and she hoped this would be regarded.