"How did you happen to fall into that horrid place?" asked another. "What a fine boy Sam is!" said a third duck. "He's almost too good for a boy," said a fourth. But it all sounded as if they only said "quack-quack!" Every day of their lives these ducks got into the garden, and ate the lettuce and strawberries and cabbage. So the gardener put a board over the hole under the gate. "Never mind," said big Broad-bill, "we know more ways than one." Then the seven started off in a line, and marched round the garden till they came to another hole, and in they went. The gardener was very angry. VICK IN TROUBLE. Bertie had gone off and left Vick. He was so eager to see the soldiers parade that he forgot all about him. This had never happened before. When Uncle Ned gave Vick to Bertie mamma said: "Now, Bertie, you must take the care of Vick. If a boy has a dog he must learn to care for him. You must see that Vick is fed. You must bathe and comb him every day; and you must give him plenty of exercise." But as I said, Bertie had forgotten Vick that day. Vick did not know what to make of it. His heart was almost broken. "This is too bad!" he howled. "Here am I shut up with two saucepans and a dummy. No water to drink--no bone to gnaw--no little master to play with--wow-ow-ow-ow!" What a dismal howl it was! Mamma heard him; she was in the kitchen making sponge cake. She could not leave it for a moment. But as soon as it was baked she let Vick out. There was Bertie just coming round the corner! He looked quite ashamed. Yes, he had thought of Vick at last. He had come home for him. Did Vick forgive him? Doggies always forgive. They have loving and generous hearts. He scrambled all over Bertie and licked his hands and his face and off they went to see the soldiers--a very happy pair. Do you think Bertie ever forgot Vick again? Do you ever forget to care for your pets? [Illustration: IT WAS FUN TO SEE THEM EAT.] IN GRANDMA'S ATTIC. Every summer grandma Cushing has two visitors. Their names are Blanche Cushing and Dorothy Cushing. Blanche lives in Iowa. She has blue eyes and yellow hair and is seven years old. Dorothy lives in New York City. She has brown eyes and brown hair and is eight years old. They love dearly to play in grandma's attic. There are queer old bonnets and gowns and cocked hats hanging on the walls. There are trunks full of caps and spectacles and old snuffers and no end of queer things. I cannot begin to tell you everything the cousins play. But there is one thing they like to play ever so much. [Illustration: PLAYING IN GRANDMA'S ATTIC.] They like to dress up in the queer old clothes and play Cinderella, and Mother Hubbard, and Red Riding Hood. When Blanche gets on her great-great-grandma Cushing's cap and spectacles and long mits, she makes a very charming little Mother Hubbard. [Illustration: A VERY CHARMING MOTHER HUBBARD.]