"Oh, no, ma'am, I don't intend to." He was at the top of his ladder and near the roof of the new one-story addition to their house. "Take care, my son," said Mrs. Keith; "it seems to me your ladder doesn't stand very securely. Is there no danger of its slipping?" "Never a bit, mother," laughed the boy "why what should make it slip?" She and Mildred turned and walked on toward the front of the house, had just set foot upon the porch there, when a shout from Rupert startled them and made them pause and look back at him. They saw the ladder slip, slip then slide rapidly to the ground, while with a cry of alarm they rushed toward him. But they were much too far off to reach him in time to be of the least assistance. Down he came to the ground, falling with considerable impetus and alighting upon his feet, his brush in one hand, his paint pot in the other, striking with a force that sent the paint all over his person. He reeled and dropped. "Are you hurt? oh, my boy, are you much hurt?" asked his mother tremulously, as she hurried to him, looking very pale and frightened. "My clothes have got the worst of it, I believe, mother," he said, laughing and staggering to his feet. "I'm afraid they've robbed the house of half its new coat." The others came running from chicken-yard and garden; Celestia Ann poked her head out of the kitchen window, and a peal of laughter met him from all sides. "I dare say I cut quite a comical figure," he said, taking it in good part, "but since I've broken no bones, I wouldn't care a red cent, if it wasn't for the loss of the paint and the damage to my illegant attire. "'O what a fall was there, my countrymen.'" "Since you are unhurt, no matter for the clothes; even if they were an elegant suit," said his mother, with a sigh of relief. "But half the paint's gone, mother--or at least put upon my person where it's worse than useless," cried the lad, surveying himself with an expression so comically lugubrious that there was a fresh explosion of mirth. "Never mind; it will not cost a great deal to replace it," said Mrs. Keith. "But I think the job may wait now till we can get a regular house-painter to finish it up." "What! would you have me give up so easily, mother, and own myself beaten? I don't like to do it. Please let me try again, and I'll place the ladder more carefully." "I don't know; we'll ask your father first. There's no special haste and--how would you all like to go with me for a walk? a nice long stroll down to the bridge, and over the river, to look for wild flowers." The proposal was greeted with loud acclamations and clapping of hands. "Oh, delightful!" "Oh goodie! goodie!" "May we mother?" "Yes; we've all been working hard this long time, and I think really deserve a holiday. Rupert, make yourself decent and we'll set out at once, taking a lunch with us, so that we need not hurry home." "Tan I do, mamma? tan Annis do?" asked the baby girl eagerly, the rosy face all aglow with delight.