But the lads were too busily engaged in opening the parcels and examining their contents, to hear or heed his words. "Two riding whips--splendid ones--and four books!" exclaimed Walter; "and here's a note." "Here let me read it," said Dick. "I declare, Wal, I'm positively ashamed to have them send me anything after the way I've behaved." "I too. But what do they say?" "It's from Travilla and Cousin Elsie," said Dick turning to the signature. "I'll read it out." He did so. It was very kind and pleasant, made no allusion to their wrong doing, but congratulated them on the return of the day, begged their acceptance of the accompanying gifts, stating from whom each came, the largest a joint present from themselves; and closed with an invitation to spend the day at Ion. "I'm more ashamed than ever, aren't you, Wal?" Dick said, his face flushing hotly as he laid the note down. "Yes, never felt so mean in my life. To think of that little Ed sending us these splendid whips, and the little girls these pretty books. I 'most wish they hadn't." "But where's 'the larger gift' they say is 'a joint present from themselves'?" "Oh that must be what Pomp called the rest left down stairs. Come, let's hurry and get down there to see what it is." Toilet duties were attended to in hot haste and in a wonderfully short time the two were on the front veranda in eager quest of the mysterious present. Each boyish heart gave a wild bound of delight as their eyes fell upon a group in the avenue, just before the entrance;--two beautiful ponies, ready saddled and bridled, in charge of an Ion servant; old Mr. Dinsmore, Calhoun and Arthur standing near examining and commenting upon them with evident admiration. "O, what beauties!" cried Dick, bounding into the midst of the group. "Whose are they, Uncle Joe?" "Well, sah," answered the old negro, pulling off his hat and bowing first to one, then to the other, "dey's sent heyah, by Massa Travilla and Miss Elsie, for two boys 'bout de size o' you, dat don' neber mean to frighten young chillen no mo'." The lads hung their heads in silence, the blush of shame on their cheeks. "Do you answer the description?" asked Calhoun, a touch of scorn in his tones. "Yes; for we'll never do it again," said Walter. "But it's too much: they're too kind!" and he fairly broke down, and turned away his head to hide the tears that would come into his eyes. "That's a fact!" assented Dick, nearly as much moved. "You don't deserve it," said their grandfather, severely, "and I'm much inclined to send them back, with a request that if they're offered you again it shall not be till a year of good conduct on your part has atoned for the past." "O, grandpa, you couldn't be so hard, so very hard!" cried Dick imploringly, stroking and patting the pony nearest to him, "they're such beauties." "I should think you'd be ashamed to accept such gifts after the way you've behaved," said Arthur.