All this time she did not utter a word of anger or reproach. Instead of rushing at Norman and boxing his ears, as he had expected, she stood still, contemplating with grief her dead bird. Again the tears trickled from her eyes. For the first time in his life Norman felt ashamed of himself. "I am very sorry," he murmured; "I did not intend to kill the bird." "I was sure you did not," she said. "I do not think any human being could be so cruel." "No, I did not--I did not," said Norman. "But do you think that anybody else can make it live again?" "Oh, no, no; I am sure no one can," answered Fanny. "Then, what are you going to do? Tell them all that I killed it?" asked Norman. "I would rather you did that yourself," said Fanny. "I cannot; it would break my heart to talk about it, and I should be so very, very sorry to say how it happened." "Then you really mean to say that you do not wish to tell granny or mamma, or to get Mr Maclean to whip me?" he asked, in a tone of surprise. "Yes, indeed, Norman, I would much rather not have to tell granny or mamma, and I have not for a moment thought of asking Mr Maclean to punish you." "Still, they must all know it," said Norman, "and what will they do when you tell them?" "They would, of course, be very angry if they could think you did it on purpose," said Fanny. "That is the reason why I wish you to tell them yourself. Mamma, and granny, and Mrs Maclean are in the drawing-room now, and they will be wondering why I am so long away. Could you not go in at once and tell them what has happened, and ask granny to come to me. I cannot go in by myself with poor little Pecksy in my hand. It would make them all so sad." Norman felt very unwilling to do as his sister advised, still he could not help seeing that it was the best plan, though a very disagreeable one. In consequence of the way Fanny had spoken to him, he had no longer any fears about himself. "If she is not angry with me, they cannot be." He stood, however, irresolute for some time, thinking whether he would or would not go--if he did go, what he should say. Fanny again urged him to go at once. "If you do not, I must, as I cannot stay longer away from the drawing-room," she said. Norman at last made up his mind to go. He approached the drawing-room door, but stood outside before he could venture to turn the handle.