Mr Rosenbaum has written me a very kind letter.' 'Is he a friend of yours, Father ?' Oswald asked.

'He is an acquaintance,' said my father, frowning a little, 'we have done some business together.

And this letter--' he stopped and then said: 'No; you didn't do any harm to-day; but I want you for the future not to do anything so serious as to try to buy a partnership without consulting me, that's all.

I don't want to interfere with your plays and pleasures; but you will consult me about business matters, won't you ?' Of course we said we should be delighted, but then Alice, who was sitting on his knee, said, 'We didn't like to bother you.' Father said, 'I haven't much time to be with you, for my business takes most of my time.

It is an anxious business--but I can't bear to think of your being left all alone like this.' He looked so sad we all said we liked being alone.