"Why, my poor boy, where have you been?
and what has happened to you ?" "O Grandma Elsie!" he said, looking much mortified and ready to cry, "I did hope I'd be able to get into the house without anybody seeing me! Do you know where my father is ?" "Yes; the two families have all gone on an excursion except Gracie, Walter, and me.

But come in out of the sun," she added, leading the way into the Raymonds' cottage.

Max followed her, and won to confidence by her sweet and kindly sympathy, told her the whole story of his morning's adventure.
"O Max, my dear boy! what a narrow escape!" she said, with tears in her eyes.

"What a mercy that you are alive to tell the tale! What a terrible, terrible shock it would have been to your father to learn that his only son was drowned! and that while in the act of disobeying him, for you say he bade you not to go into any danger." "Yes, Grandma Elsie, and if he finds it out I'll be pretty sure to get a severe flogging.

I deserve it, I know; but I don't want to take it.