Of course he had his faults. No young lad is without them. But the difference between Eric and other boys was, that when he became conscious of a fault in his character, he immediately set about overcoming it, and therefore soon got rid of it. But he was obliged to keep a very careful watch over himself, for little faults creep into one's character faster than the little weeds spring up in the flower garden, and, like the weeds, too, if at once removed are almost harmless, but if allowed to spread and flourish they soon spoil the entire character, as the weeds spoil the garden. While we have been moralizing, Eric has eaten his supper, neatly packed up the few things left about, and, with Froll and his travelling-bag, starts from the Vyverberg for Paris. A very common-looking steamboat took them to Antwerp. There is not much to relate of their journey, for Eric's adventures had so tired him that he slept all the way, only awakening to take the cars at Antwerp, and rousing once again to know they were passing through Brussels, and to hear his uncle say that the finest altar in the world was in the cathedral there. They arrived at Paris about noon of the next day, and, after considerable trouble, found that Dr. Ward had taken rooms in a hotel in the _Place Vendome_, whither they at once repaired. Eric wanted to give his uncle and cousin a surprise. So Mr. Van Rasseulger did not send up their names, but they stole softly up the stairs, and opened the door. Johnny was alone, lying upon the floor, with a very fretful, discontented expression upon his countenance. He turned his head towards the door, and there, upon the threshold, blushing and laughing, stood Eric; and, better still, behind him was papa. The child uttered a joyful cry, and sprang into his father's arms, who hurried to meet him, exclaiming,-- "My boy, my Johnny-boy, what is the matter?" "It's only the mumps," said Johnny, reassuringly, and holding out his hand to Eric. "O, ain't I glad you've come!" he added. "It's awful dull here, uncle Charlie is away at the hospital so much." "Well, how have you been, excepting the mumps?" inquired his father, relieved enough to find nothing serious the matter with his petted boy. "Bully!" exclaimed John, very improperly. "See how strong I'm getting, papa!" and he threw out his fist suddenly, giving his father a very uncomfortable punch in the side. "I'm glad you didn't illustrate on me," said Eric, laughing. "Uncle John, are you a tester?" "I'm an _at_testor, certainly," replied his uncle. "Johnny, if you demonstrate your power of strength so forcibly and practically, some one will apply oil of birch to you." "Then I'll be in first-rate running order," retorted Johnny, "and you'll have to take me to Strasbourg." "Indeed," said his father, "I think so." As they all sat, merrily talking, Dr. Ward returned, and was pleased and surprised enough to find his unexpected guests. His greeting was very cordial.