"It's almost a pity to stay indoors such a fine day," said the baronet, hastily; "suppose you get your hat and run out in the garden." Yorkists and Lancastrians at once vanished from Humphrey's head, and he was off. But when he was gone, Sir Everard took down a volume of English History, and studied it for the rest of the morning. After luncheon, Sir Everard proposed to take Humphrey out riding. Little Miles looked very disconsolate when the horses came to the door, and he found himself condemned to a solitary afternoon, but seemed somewhat cheered by a long-whispered confabulation that his brother had with him before starting. At three o'clock Sir Everard and Humphrey mounted, and as they went along the road, the following conversation took place:-- "Will you pass through the town, father; because I've got some shopping to do?" "Shopping! why what do you want to buy?" "It's such a very great secret, that I don't think I can tell you. But perhaps you can keep a secret?" "Yes, I think I may promise to keep it." "Well, then, I'll tell you. It's a birthday present for you. And what would you like? But you must promise not to tell any one." "No one shall know: but I think I would rather you chose for me; what you like, I shall like." "Well, now, I don't think you would. You see, _I_ should like a pop-gun, or some nine-pins. Now _you_ would not care for either of those, would you?" Sir Everard admitted that he was getting a little old for these amusements. "I thought so!" pursued Humphrey, delighted with his own discrimination, "and that's what makes it so difficult. You've got a watch and a thermometer, and all the other things grown-up men have, so it is very puzzling." "But, my dear child, all the things you mention are very expensive, far beyond your little means, I should think. Why, how much money have you got?" "Well! that's just the awkward part; I have not got any! But I thought perhaps you wouldn't mind giving me some, as it is for your own birthday present." Sir Everard laughed. "Rather an expensive way of having birthday presents." "I don't think it will be very expensive," said the practical Humphrey; "but of course it depends on what I buy. Here is the shop, father; please stop." They pulled up before one of those little nondescript shops to be found in every small country-town. "Now mind," said Humphrey, as he jumped down from his pony, "mind you don't peep through the door, because you might see me looking at things on the counter." He waited for a moment till he had exacted a promise from Sir Everard, and then ran into the shop. "I want something for a grown-up man," he said, as he advanced to the counter. The shop-woman did her best to show everything she thought likely to suit, but Humphrey was not at all satisfied with the choice. His restless eyes wandered all over the shop. "Have not you got anything for a man to put in his pocket?" he asked.