greatly did the pictures please them; though, for the present, they profited but little by the printed news.

"Ten more horrid days before this half is over," said George, peevishly. "It seems an age. I count the very hours.-But you think that we are sure to go on Monday, don't you?"

"We

"Not sure," said Frank. must not be too sure of anything, my grandma says."

66

Well, then, I dare say I shan't wait for you," said the impatient George; "I do hate waiting, above all things."

"But you must try to be more patient," said Frank, gently "Does not your poor mamma say so, to you ?"

"Ah! very often; almost every day," cried George; "but what's the good of that? for I keep hammering on, for anything I want. Oh! how I wish the holidays were here just now; I am so wretched !"

"Dear me! and instead of that, I feel so happy," said dear Frank. "Ten days will soon be gone, I think, and then-O then-Grandma will come, and see my prize, and look so very pleased, and take me home with her!"

CHAPTER II.

AND Frank was right, my dear young reader, for the ten days soon passed away, and very pleasurably

too, as even George confessed. There were so many extra sports provided—a magic lantern, and dissolving views for the last evening, with cakes and crackers, and amusing recitations, and all went very merrily to bed, looking forward to the following day, when they should see their friends and homes once more.

Frank felt a little sorry when the carriage came, without grandma, to fetch him. He fairly jumped about within it, as though to make it carry him the faster to her. He bounded from it when it reached the door, and ran with outstretched arms into the drawing-room, where she was waiting to embrace him, and to listen. fondly to all he had to tell. She

gazed with tears of pleasure in her eyes, upon the handsome volume he presented, as a proof of his good conduct and improvement; and wiped her spectacles with care, to read the nice inscription on the title-page, and told him, "in return for his attention and obedience, it would give her pleasure to grant him many treats throughout the holidays."

Frank thought at once about the Crystal Palace: but looking up, he saw his grandmother was pale and delicate, and therefore would not name it, until she should seem to him a little better; for already had he learnt, in some degree, to follow HIM "who pleased not himself."

George Grant was rather glad to

learn, that he was to go home by railway, for having an indifferent character, and no prize whatever, he did not long to see his mother's face, at least at school, lest painful questions should be asked as to his conduct. Still he was happy when he saw her, and made more noise about it, far, than Frank.

When asked, "if he had gained a prize," he looked a little sheepish; and speaking in a sullen tone, began to make complaints about "unfairness in the teachers," and said his "schoolmistress had favourites, he was very sure," with many other things, equally

untrue.

His mother listened to his list of troubles, and told him, that she feared