Shall I find it for you?
It is in an old number." "Well, do; thank you." He rested listlessly on the sofa while his sister rummaged in a chiffonier.

At last she found the article, and eagerly read him the description of the strange forms of the coral animals, and the beauties of their flower-like feelers and branching fabrics.

It would once have delighted him, but his first comment was, "Nasty little brutes!" However, the next minute he thanked her, took the book, and said he could hammer something out of it, though it was too bad to give such an unclassical subject.

At dusk he left off, saying he should get it done at night, his senses would come then, and he should be glad to sit up.
"Only three weeks to the holidays," said Ethel, trying to be cheerful; but his assent was depressing, and she began to fear that Christmas would only make them more sad.
Mary did not keep Tom's secret so inviolably, but that, while they were dressing for tea, she revealed to Ethel where Harry was gone.

He was not yet returned, though his father and Richard were come in, and the sisters were at once in some anxiety on his account, and doubt whether they ought to let papa know of his disobedience.
Flora and Ethel, who were the first in the drawing-room, had a consultation.
"I should have told mamma directly," said Flora.
"He never did so," sighed Ethel; "things never went wrong then." "Oh, yes, they did; don't you remember how naughty Harry was about climbing the wall, and making faces at Mrs.Richardson's servants ?" "And how ill I behaved the first day of last Christmas holidays ?" "She knew, but I don't think she told papa." "Not that we knew of, but I believe she did tell him everything, and I think, Flora, he ought to know everything, especially now.