"I wish I had not killed that bird," he again said to himself. "It did me no harm, and Fanny does not treat me as I thought she would, and as I should have treated her if she had killed a bird of mine which I was fond of. I should have flown at her, and kicked her, and scolded at her day after day, and do not think I should ever have forgiven her; but she does not even say a word to me, and tries to think that I did not wish to hurt the bird. I knew well enough that big book would kill the little creature, and I tried to make it fall just on the top of it. I know I did; and all because I was angry with Fanny, and that little Robby, and his grandfather who gave her the bird. I only wish that they all would be very angry. It would be better than treating me as Fanny has done." At last Norman put his hand on the door handle. He turned it, and entering, walked forward till he stood before the three ladies, who were seated at their work. "Well, Norman, what brings you here? We thought you were out fishing with the laird," said his granny, looking up from under her spectacles. "I have been and thrown a book on Fanny's bird, and it's dead. She asked me to come and tell you," said Norman in a gruff voice; "and, granny, she wants you to go to her. I wish I had not done it, that's all I have got to say." Having uttered these words he stood stock still, as if he was ready to receive any scoldings the ladies might think fit to administer. "You have killed Fanny's bird!" exclaimed Mrs Leslie and his mamma. "What, could make you do that?" "I don't know, I wish I hadn't; but I am not going to say any more," answered Norman. "I will go to poor Fanny and try to comfort her, if the bird is really dead," said Mrs Leslie rising. "Norman, come here," said his mamma, as soon as his granny had left the room. "If you have really killed Fanny's bird on purpose, you have done a cruel thing. We are expecting your papa here this afternoon. When he hears of it, he will, I am sure, be very angry, and will punish you as he did the other day, before we left home." "I do not mind if he does," said Norman. "When I threw the book, I did not care whether I killed the bird or not." "I am afraid that Norman is a very naughty boy," observed Mrs Maclean, who did not understand the feeling which prompted him to say this. "You know the advice I have often given you, my dear Mary, and I hope when Captain Vallery comes, he will see the necessity of punishing him when he behaves ill, more severely than he appears hitherto to have done." Norman looked up at Mrs Maclean with a frown on his brow. He was beginning again to harden his heart, which had been softened by Fanny's grief and the gentle way she had spoken to him.