You are free till then." "Thank you, father," cried Nic, whose veins throbbed with eager anticipation of the pleasures to be enjoyed in what seemed to be the first real holiday he had ever had.

"You'll trust me too, mother, won't you ?" "Yes, yes, my boy," cried Mrs Braydon.
"Of course she will," said the doctor.

"Mamma has grown quite nervous since she has had a fresh chicken to take care of: she makes more fuss over you than she does over the girls." "But they know the place better, my dear," pleaded Mrs Braydon.
"Nic will know it ten times better in a fortnight," said the doctor.
"Eh, Nic ?" "I'll try, father," cried the boy, laughing.

"I'm not going to be beaten by a couple of girls." "Off with you, then!" "Shall I take the dogs, father ?" "Yes.

No: not to-day.