CHAPTER XVII.

Do not fear: Heaven is as near, By water, as by land.--LONGFELLOW.

The fifth of May was poor Harry's eighteenth birthday, and, as usual, was a holiday. Etheldred privately thought his memory more likely to be respected, if Blanche and Aubrey were employed, than if they were left in idleness; but Mary would have been wretched had the celebration been omitted, and a leisure day was never unwelcome.

Dr. Spencer carried off Blanche and Aubrey for a walk, and Ethel found Mary at her great resort--Harry's cupboard--dusting and arranging his books, and the array of birthday gifts, to which, even to-day, she had not failed to add the marker that had been in hand at Christmas. Ethel entreated her to come down, and Mary promised, and presently appeared, looking so melancholy, that, as a sedative, Ethel set her down to the basket of scraps to find materials for a tippet for some one at Cocksmoor, intending, as soon as Margaret should be dressed, to resign her morning to the others, invite Miss Bracy to the drawing-room, and read aloud.

Gertrude was waiting for her walk, till nurse should have dressed Margaret, and was frisking about the lawn, sometimes looking in at the drawing-room window at her sisters, sometimes chattering to Adams at his work, or laughing to herself and the flowers, in that overflow of mirth, that seemed always bubbling up within her.

She was standing in rapt contemplation of a pear-tree in full blossom, her hands tightly clasped behind the back, for greater safety from the temptation, when, hearing the shrubbery gate open, she turned, expecting to see her papa, but was frightened at the sight of two strangers, and began to run off at full speed.

1. When is Harry's birthday?
2. How hold is he?
3. Who took two people for a walk?
4. Who did he take?
5. Where was Mary?
6. Which is?
7. What was she doing there?
8. Anything else besides books?
9. What did Ethel ask her to do?
10. Did she do that?
11. What was Ethel holding?
12. What did she want to make?
13. For whom?
14. Did they celebrate Harry's birthday?
15. How would Mary feel if they hadn't?
16. Did they like not working?
17. Who was waiting for her walk?
18. Where were her sisters?
19. Who was she talking to?
1. fifth of May
2. 18
3. Dr. Spencer
4. Blanche and Aubrey
5. at her great resort
6. Harry's cupboard
7. dusting and arranging books
8. birthday gifts
9. come down
10. yes
11. the basket of scraps
12. a tippet
13. some one at Cocksmoor
14. Yes
15. She would have been wretched
16. yes
17. Gertrude
18. drawing-room
19. Adams