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"I can double up my legs, I suppose. We'll have a look at him to-morrow.'

"Don't you weigh a good deal?" asked Jackanapes.

"Chiefly waistcoats," said the general, slapping the breast of his military frock-coat. "We'll have the little racer on the Green the first thing in the morning. Glad you mentioned it, grandson, glad you mentioned it."

III

The general was as good as his word. Next morning the Gipsy and Lollo, Miss Jessamine, Jackanapes, his grandfather and his dog, Spitfire, were all gathered at the end of the Green in a group. The general talked to the Gipsy, and Jackanapes fondled Lollo's mane and did not know whether he should be more glad or miserable if his grandfather bought him.

"Jackanapes!" "Yes, sir!"

"I've bought Lollo, but I believe you were right. He stands hardly high enough for me.

If you can ride him to the other end of the Green, I'll give him to you."

How Jackanapes tumbled on Lollo's back he never knew. He had just gathered up the reins when the Gipsy took him by the arm.

"If you want to make Lollo go fast, my little gentleman-"

"I can make him go!" said Jackanapes, and drawing from his pocket a trumpet he had bought at the fair, he blew a blast both loud and shrill

Away went Lollo, and away went Jackanapes's hat. His golden hair flew out, and his cheeks shone red. Away went Spitfire, mad with the race and the wind in his silky ears.

Jackanapes and Lollo rode back, Spitfire panting behind.

"Good, my little gentleman, good!" said the Gipsy; "you were born to the saddle. You've the flat thigh, the strong knee, the wiry back, and the light, caressing hand. All you want is to learn the whisper. Come here!"

"What was that fellow talking about, grandson?" asked the general.

"I can't tell you, sir. It's a secret.'

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They were sitting in the window again, in two arm-chairs.

You must love your aunt very much, Jackanapes?"

"I do, sir," said Jackanapes warmly.

"And whom do you love next best to your aunt?"

Jackanapes answered quite readily.

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"He knew my father," said Jackanapes, he tells me about him, and about his black mare. My father was a soldier, a brave soldier. He died at Waterloo. When I grow up I want to be a soldier, too."

"So you shall, my boy! So you shall!"

"Thank you, grandfather. Aunty doesn't want me to be a soldier for fear of my being killed." "Bless my life! Would she have you get into a feather-bed and stay there? Why, you might be killed by a thunderbolt if you were a butter merchant!"

"So I might. I shall tell her so. What a funny fellow you are, sir! I say, do you think

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my father knew the Gipsy's secret? The postman says he used to whisper to his black mare.'

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"Your father was taught to ride as a child, by one of those horsemen of the East who swoop and dart and wheel about a plain, like swallows in autumn. Grandson! love me a little, too. I can tell you more about your father than the postman can.

"I do love you," said Jackanapes. should like to be a soldier."

"But I

"You shall, my boy, you shall. Well, well; if you live to be an honor to your country, this old heart will grow young again with pride for you; and if you die in the service of your country-God bless me, it can but break for you!" From "Jackanapes." Adapted.

The lily has an air,

And the snowdrop a grace,

And the sweet pea a way,

And the heart's-ease a face,

Yet there's nothing like the rose
When she blows.

Christina Rossetti.

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