When Marcus came home from school on Monday afternoon, Hatty was in the garden, picking a bouquet to put in Aunt Barbara’s room. He stepped quietly behind her and put his hands round her waist, before she heard him coming. She looked round, expecting to see his face full of fun; but it was very sober,—and he said, quietly, “I have lost the prize, Hatty!” “Did you miss a lesson to-day!” said Hatty, eagerly. “I have not made a mistake this term, and I don’t mean to, if I can help it,” said Marcus, rather proudly. “Not a mark for misconduct?” said Hatty, anxiously. “A mark for tardiness stands against my name. I have told Mr. Briggs.” Hatty turned towards her brother, and kissed him tenderly. He did not push her away, but, putting his arm round her waist, he walked a few moments along the path in silence; then he said, “I have had a talk with Mr. Briggs, that I hope I shall never forget. I thank you, Hatty, for being a true sister to me.” Here Marcus broke away from Hatty, and ran into the house before she could speak a word in reply. Hatty finished gathering the flowers, but her thoughts were not on her bouquet, but on her brother. In her heart she thanked God for prompting him to take this first right step, and earnestly she prayed that he might go steadily forward in the path that leadeth unto life. X. The weeks flew by, and Aunt Barbara was able first to take a short drive, and then to be in the air hour after hour. One Saturday Mr. Lee pushed back his chair, after dinner, and looking pleasantly round on his children, said, “What do you all say to a visit to Mr. Sparrow’s peach orchard to-day?” The young faces flushed back a glad response, and every little voice was raised in a joyous welcome to the proposal. “Aunt Barbara must go, too,” said Meg, giving the old lady a protective look, which, although it was quite absurd, sprang from real kindness. “Yes, Aunt Barbara must go, of course,” said Mr. Lee, smiling. “And Hatty, Hatty so dood,” put in Harry, as he laid his plump hand caressingly on Hatty’s white arm. “Yes, every one must go, if the carriage is as full as the shoe where the old woman lived, with that wonderfully large family.” “I hope none of us will have to be whipped and sent to bed,” said Meg, laughingly. “No, no. You shall all have peaches and bread, instead,” said Mr. Lee, with a quizzical look. The children all laughed so much at what they thought a charming witticism on their father’s part, that they could hardly hear his voice when he spoke again to say they must be ready in an hour; and then away he went, to give orders about the carriage. At the first mention of the excursion Marcus had darted away to get his fishing-tackle in order; for he knew there was a famous trouting stream on Mr. Sparrow’s farm, and he meant to have sport, for which he cared more than for bushels of peaches.