"Indeed, papa," she answered earnestly, "it was no such trifle, for I had disobeyed a plain order not to ask a second time for permission to do what you had once forbidden." "True; but I now see that a child so sensitive, conscientious and affectionate as you were, would have been sufficiently punished by a mild rebuke." "A year or two later you discovered and acted upon that," she said, with an affectionate look up into his face. "But at this time you were a very young father; and when I remember how you took me on your knee, by the fire there, and warmed my hands and feet, petting and fondling me, and what a nice evening I had with you afterward, I could almost wish to go through it all again." "Hark! what was that?" exclaimed Rosie. Every one paused to listen. There was a sound of sobbing as of a child in sore distress, and it seemed to come from the closet. "There's somebody shut up there now," Walter said in a loud, excited whisper. "Grandpa, can't she be let out?" Arthur strode hastily across the room and threw the closet door wide open. There was no one there. They glanced at each other in surprise and perplexity. "Ah, ha, ah, ha! um, h'm! ah, ah! the lassie's no there, eh?" said a voice behind them, and turning quickly at the sound, whom should they see but Mr. Lilburn standing in the open doorway leading to the hall. "But we know all about her now, sir," said Arthur with a laugh, in which he was joined by every one present. CHAPTER XIII. "Evil communications corrupt good manners." --1 _Cor._ 15:33. The one drawback upon Max's perfect enjoyment of his new home was the lack of a companion of his own age and sex; the only boys in the family connection, or among the near neighbors, were nearly grown to manhood or very little fellows. Therefore, when Ralph Conly came home for the Christmas holidays, and though four years older than himself, at once admitted him to a footing of intimacy, Max was both pleased and flattered. Ralph's manner, to be sure, was more condescending than was altogether agreeable, but that seemed not inexcusable, considering his superiority in years and knowledge of the world. At Ion, Max played the part of host, taking Ralph up to his own bedroom to show him his books and other treasures, to the boys' work-room, out to the stables to see the horses, and about the grounds. To-day, at Roselands, it was Ralph's turn to entertain. He soon drew Max away from the company in the parlors, showed him the horses and dogs, then invited him to take a walk. It was near dinner time when they returned. After dinner he took him to his room, and producing a pack of cards, invited him to play. "Cards!" exclaimed Max. "I don't know anything about playing with them, and don't want to." "Why not? are you too pious?" Ralph asked with a sneer, tumbling them out in a heap upon the table.