Alas! the kite and its tail were long ago gone to that undiscovered limbo where all things lost, broken, vanished, and destroyed; things that lose themselves--for servants are too honest to steal; things that break themselves--for servants are too careful to break; find an everlasting and impenetrable refuge. "It does not signify a pin's head," said the clerk; "the parish must find a new 'un!" "It is no fault of mine," said the Pastor. "Are my chops ready?" CHAPTER II. "And soothed with idle dreams the frowning fate."--CRABBE. "Why does not my father come back? what a time he has been away!" "My dear Philip, business detains him; but he will be here in a few days --perhaps to-day!" "I should like him to see how much I am improved." "Improved in what, Philip?" said the mother, with a smile. "Not Latin, I am sure; for I have not seen you open a book since you insisted on poor Todd's dismissal." "Todd! Oh, he was such a scrub, and spoke through his nose: what could he know of Latin?" "More than you ever will, I fear, unless--" and here there was a certain hesitation in the mother's voice, "unless your father consents to your going to school." "Well, I should like to go to Eton! That's the only school for a gentleman. I've heard my father say so." "Philip, you are too proud."--"Proud! you often call me proud; but, then, you kiss me when you do so. Kiss me now, mother." The lady drew her son to her breast, put aside the clustering hair from his forehead, and kissed him; but the kiss was sad, and the moment after she pushed him away gently and muttered, unconscious that she was overheard: "If, after all, my devotion to the father should wrong the children!" The boy started, and a cloud passed over his brow; but he said nothing. A light step entered the room through the French casements that opened on the lawn, and the mother turned to her youngest-born, and her eye brightened. "Mamma! mamma! here is a letter for you. I snatched it from John: it is papa's handwriting." The lady uttered a joyous exclamation, and seized the letter. The younger child nestled himself on a stool at her feet, looking up while she read it; the elder stood apart, leaning on his gun, and with something of thought, even of gloom, upon his countenance.