"I wish you were my brother, or my cousin, Roland, what nice times we should have! I have a boat, a pony, and a dog, and so many things; but for all that, I get so tired." "Have you any books, Miss Madeline?" continued the boy. "Books! why I have more than I can count--all kinds of books." "Do you never study, Miss Madeline?" inquired Roland, with a look of surprise. "Study! no, indeed, I hate study. I like to read stories, and poetry, and fairy tales, and accounts of great men--did you ever hear of Robert Bruce? he's my hero; wasn't it nice when the spider taught him such a lesson?" "I've read about him, Miss Madeline, for my mother has told me so much about Scotland--both my parents were Scotch." "Were they, Roland? may be you're some relation to Robert Bruce; why I do believe you are." Roland smiled at her simplicity, and stooping down, planted his modest flowers in a shady corner. "Wouldn't you like to go to our school, Miss Madeline? Mr. Norton is such a good teacher." "Where is your school, Roland?" asked the child. "It is about a mile from here, in Maple Lane, and such a pleasant walk in fine weather." "Is Mr. Norton cross, Roland?" "No, indeed; he's the best friend that I ever had." "Have they more teachers than one?" "Yes--Mr. Norton the principal, Miss Adams the first assistant, and Miss Corning second." "Are there many scholars, Roland?" "I think we have sixty, Miss Madeline; Mr. Norton makes everything so pleasant, and learning so easy." "I'll coax papa to let me come; you'll help me to learn, won't you, Roland?" Madeline was sorry when Roland turned to go home. "Good-bye," said the child, "you'll see me at your school; if I take it into my head, I can go;" and running back to the house, once more she visited her little pets, and named them Patty and Jim. Impatiently she awaited papa's arrival from his ride. As soon as he was seated, jumping on his lap, she threw her arms around his neck, and looking up in his face with her own bewitching way, she said: "Now, papa, I want you to promise me something." "What is it, Maddy? It is not much that I can refuse you." "Well, it's something good, papa; you'll like it, I know. I want you to let me go to the school in Maple Lane. Mary James, Minnie Scott, Lizzie Belton, and Ellen Taylor all go; and I think it will be much better than school all alone, and no one to speak to but the teacher." "I must make some inquiries first, Mad-cap," answered her father. "Won't you go to-morrow, papa? I want to go right off, and I promise you that I'll study hard; just let me go, that's a dear papa." "Well, I'll see about it to-morrow, Madeline, and if all is right, you shall go; I will do anything to make you learn." Next morning Mr. Hamilton made the necessary calls upon the parents of the children named by Madeline, saw the principal, entered her name, and all being satisfactory, his consent was fully given.