THE LONELY COTTAGEpage 53
THE OLD CASTLE.
AND
Other Stories.
LONDON: THOMAS NELSON AND SONS.
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.
1881.
Contents.
| THE OLD CASTLE, | 7 |
| GEORGE AND ALICK, | 23 |
| THE SIXPENNY CALICO, | 42 |
| A WESTMORELAND STORY, | 51 |
THE OLD CASTLE.
ow pleasant the parlour looked on the evening of "Flaxy's" birthday.To be sure it was November, and the wind was setting the poor dyingleaves in a miserable shiver with some dreadful story of an iceberg hehad just been visiting. But what cared Dicky and Prue, or Dudley andFlaxy, or all the rest sitting cosily around that charming fire, whichglowed as if some kind fairy had filled up the little black grate withcarbuncles and rubies? Over the mantle-piece were branches of pretty[8]white sperm candles, whose light fell softly on the heavy redcurtains and the roses in the carpet, and danced in the eyes of thehappy children.
They, the children, had been having a "splendid time." They had playedgames, and put together dissected maps, and tried puzzles, and read inFlaxy's wonderful books; and since tea they had had a grand romp at"fox and geese," even such big boys as Bernard and Dudley joining in;and now they were resting with pretty red cheeks and parted mouths.
"Well, what shall we do now?" cried little Prue, who could not bearthat a minute of the precious time should be wasted in mere sittingstill.
"Why, isn't it a good time for some one else to tell his story?" askedFlaxy.
"Just the thing," was the unanimous response. "Another story! a[9]story!" and then a voice cried, "And let Dudley Wylde tell it."
"Well," said Dudley, slowly, "if I must tell a true story aboutmyself, I'm afraid it won't be much to my credit, but as Flaxywasn't a coward about it, I'll try to be as brave as a girl. Shall Itell you something that happened to Bernard and me when we lived overin England?"
"Oh, please don't tell that story, Dud," pleaded Bernard withreddening cheeks, but all the rest cried, "Oh, yes, go on, go on," andDudley began.
"You all