“Pray be careful,” she said, “never by any chance to let one of your small creatures, even the prettiest one, escape out of your pockets upon the table or the floor. In fact, you would do better not to put them into your pockets at all, for fear of some such mishap, as often occurs at home. It would spoil all the pleasure of your visit; for Mrs. Stanhope would neither understand nor forgive such carelessness.” “Don’t worry, aunty,” replied the boy; “I’ll fix them so they can’t stir. I’ll bring them all safe home to you, and I’m sure you will be delighted with them.” Rikli had been meanwhile listening to one person and another, catching the words of warning and advice as they were given to the three travellers, and dwelling with pride and pleasure at the thought that she was the only one who did not need any caution. To her aunt’s closing words to Fred, she added quickly:-- “Yes, yes! how Mrs. Stanhope would stare to see a horrid frog or a red snail or a blind worm come hopping over her white table-cloth!” “Well, I think any one would stare, to see a snail or a worm hop anywhere!” said the boy laughing. “You’d see what she would say, and how she would put you out of the house in no time, and take all your food away.” “I don’t believe I should _see_ her say anything at all,” retorted Fred, with another laugh. “You’d find out how it would be, when you were sent home in disgrace; and you’d be ashamed to be seen in the railway carriage, and by the children in school.” “I don’t mean to find out anything of the kind,” said Fred, and the contest dropped. The coachman cracked his whip as a signal that it was high time to start. Hurried good-byes were said; the children seized their bags, and seated themselves in the carriage; the horses started, and the journey was begun. Mother and aunt stood by the road-side, and waved their handkerchiefs till the carriage turned a corner and was lost to view. “Oh! I wish I knew that they would meet with no accident, and would all come home safe!” said the mother, with a sigh, as she turned back to the house. “That will be as God wills,” said her sister; “we must trust them to him, and pray him to send his angels to watch over them; that will be a better protection than any that we two could afford them.” CHAPTER III. ON THE BEAUTIFUL RHINE.