"That's all right; and where are you going?"
"We are going to dig pupæ for you," answered Mary.
"Then you are a good little woman," replied Frank, catching her round the waist, and giving her a kiss.
"Have you got a mat to kneel upon, so as not to catch cold?"
"Yes, we have got a mat and a trowel, in this basket, and we mean to get you a lot of moths. Don't we, Florrie?"
"Yes, ever so many."
Frank went along the passage, and entered the library. Mr. Merivale was seated at the table writing. He was a pale and studious-looking man, with a very kind and genial expression of face. He owned a small estate on the shores of the Broad, and was a deep thinker and scholarly writer, writing books which were intended chiefly for college libraries. He looked up as his son entered, and said,—
"Please father, my birthday is next week."
"I had not forgotten it, my boy."