nything I had not, it was for a play-fellow and companion somewhere about my own age; and now, when this wish of mine was really on the eve of being realized, I was filled with vague dreams and anticipations of all the delight which it was to bring to me. When George and I had mutually agreed that my cousin Aleck--allowing for the difference of age--might be reasonably expected to be somewhat taller than myself, we sat down on the beach, and began to discuss certain plans of mine for giving him a suitable welcome.
Dim ideas, the result of "Illustrated London News'" pictures, were floating in my mind--bouquets, triumphal arches, addresses, and so forth--even although I wound up by saying--
"Of course, not like that exactly; only something--something rather grand."
[Illustration: OLD GEORGE AND WILLIE.]
Old George, however, kindly and wisely pulled my schemes down, and laid them affectionately in the dust:--
"You see, Master Willie, anything written, even in your best hand, wo
