The Crofton Boys

"For shame, Hugh! Phil would laugh at you for being a girl, if you are so curious. What mamma told Mrs. Bicknor was that Jane was her right hand. What do you think that meant exactly?"

"That Jane might give you a good slap when you are so provoking," said Hugh, rolling over and over, till his clothes were covered with dust, and Agnes really thought once that he was fairly going over the edge into the yard.

"There is something that I can tell you, Hugh; something that I want to tell you, and nobody else," said Agnes, glad to see him stop rolling about, and raise himself on his dusty elbow to look at her.

"Well, come, what is it?"

"You must promise beforehand not to be angry."

"Angry! when am I angry, pray? Come, tell me."

"You must--you really must--I have a particular reason for saying so--you must learn how much four times seven is. Now, remember, you promised not to be angry."

Hugh carried off his anger by balancing himself on his head, as if he meant