Nothing had been said to him on the subject, since his morning talk with his mother, but all day he had been unusually quiet and thoughtful.
"Mamma," he now said, coming close to her side, "I've been trying to forgive them, and I'm going to buy two riding whips, one for Dick, and one for Wal; if you and papa like me to." Her smile was very sweet and tender as she commended his choice, and told him his resolve had made her very happy.
The birthday found Dick and Walter in sullen, discontented mood, spite of their resolve not to care for the loss of all prospect of gifts in honor of the anniversary.
"What's the use of getting up ?" growled Dick, "it's an awful bore, the way we've been sent to Coventry ever since we got into that scrape with the young ones.

I've a great mind to lie a-bed and pretend sick; just to scare mother and pay her off for her crossness." "Maybe you might get sick in earnest," suggested Walter.

"I'm going to get up anyhow," and he tumbled out upon the floor, "for it's too hot to lie in bed.

Hark! there's Pomp coming up the stairs to call us now.

Why, what's all that, Pomp ?" as the servant rapped, then pushing open the door, handed in a number of brown paper parcels.
"Dunno, Mars Wal," replied the man grinning from ear to ear; "somethin' from Ion, an de rest's down stairs; one for each ob you." "One what ?" queried Dick, starting up and with one bound placing himself at Walter's side.
"Birthday present, sahs.