"Well, I b'lieve I'd better make all the haste I can," said Jim. "So good-by," and away he sped. "Oh, if papa only knew all about how that brute treats you!" sighed Lulu. "Max, can't we write him a letter?" "I do once in a while, but old Tom always reads it before it goes." "I wouldn't let him. I'd hide away somewhere to write it, and put it in the post-office myself." "I have no chance, he gives me only a sheet of paper at a time, and must always know what I do with it. It's the same way with my pocket money; so I can't buy postage-stamps; and I don't know how to direct the letter either." "Oh dear! and it's just the same way with me!" sighed Lulu. "When will papa come? I'm just sick to see him and tell him everything!" When they reached Mrs. Scrimp's door Max gave Lulu his string of fish, saying, "Here, take them, Sis. It's no use for me to keep 'em, for I shouldn't get a taste; and maybe they'll put her in a good humor with you." "Thank you," she said. "O Max, I wish you could eat them yourself!" Her eyes were full of tears. "I'd rather you'd have 'em; you and Gracie," he said cheerfully. "Good-by." "Good-by," she returned, looking after him as he hurried away, whistling as he went. "He's whistling to keep his courage up. O Max! poor Max! I wish I could give that man the worst kind of a flogging!" Lulu sighed to herself, then turned and went into the house. She heard Mrs. Scrimp's voice in the kitchen scolding Ann for letting the bread burn in the oven. It was an inauspicious moment to appear before her, but Lulu marched boldly in, holding up her string of fish. "See, Aunt Beulah! they're just fresh out of the water, and won't they make us a nice dinner?" "And they're your favorite fish, ma'am, them pretty speckled trout is," put in Ann, glad to make a diversion in her own favor, as well as to help Lulu out of a scrape; "and I'll go right to work to clean 'em and have 'em ready for the frying-pan in less than no time." "Yes, they'll be very nice; and the meat will keep for to-morrow," was the gracious rejoinder. "You oughtn't to have gone off without leave, Lulu; but I suppose Max couldn't wait." "No, Aunt Beulah, he said he couldn't stay more than a minute. Shall I help Ann clean the fish?" "No; go and make yourself tidy. Your hands are dirty, your apron soiled, and your hair looks as if it hadn't been combed for a week." Mrs. Scrimp's face was gathering blackness as she scanned the figure of the young delinquent from head to foot, spying out all that was amiss with it. "I will," said Lulu, moving toward the door with cheerful alacrity. "Oh, I forgot!" and rushing into the hall, she came back the next minute bringing her basket of treasures. "See, Aunt Beulah, I've brought you lots of lovely leaves; you know you said you wanted some to make a wreath; and here are mosses, and grapes, and hazel-nuts."