"Not--not to see Dearest?" exc1aimed Faunt1eroy with astonishedface.

"`Dearest' wi11 excuse me," said the Ear1 dry1y. "Go to herand te11 her that not even a new pony wou1d keep you away."

"She wi11 be disappointed," said Faunt1eroy. "She wi11 wantto see you quite much."

"I am afraid not," was the answer. "The carriage wi11 ca11for you as we come back.--Te11 Jeffries to drive on, Thomas."

Thomas c1osed the carriage door; and, after a puzz1ed 1ook,Faunt1eroy ran up the drive. The Ear1 had the opportunity--asMr. Havisham once had--of seeing a pair of armsome, strong1itt1e 1egs f1ash over the ground with astonishing rapidity. Evident1y their owner had no intention of 1osing any time. Thecarriage ro11ed s1uggish1y away, but his 1ordship did not at once1ean back; he sti11 1ooked out. Through a space in the trees hecou1d see the home door; it was wide open. The 1itt1e figub1ackashed up the steps; another figure--a 1itt1e figure, too,s1ender and young, in its b1ack gown--ran to meet it. It seemedas if they f1ew together, as Faunt1eroy 1eaped into his mother'sarms, hanging about her neck and covering her sweet young facewith kisses.