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In the display of so much experimental paraphernalia, there may have been a hint that Herbert's was a scientific nature craving rather quantity than quality; his collection certainly possessed the virtue of multitudinousness, if that be a virtue; and the birds in the neighbourhood reat deal of disappoints as Herbert noned have seldom been seen in the custody of any private individual And nearly all of theh several of the preserve jars had been imperfectly drained of their heavy syrups, and in one of the, of the whole collection, the poorest ti pretty welltheroup, under such unusual surroundings, formed the subject of Herbert's special study at the moment of Florence's arrival He was seated at the table and frowning with science as he observed the unfortunates through that lass, his discovery of which was responsible for their present condition and his own choice of a career

Florence paused in the doorway, but he gave no sign of recognition, unless his intensified preoccupation was a sign, and Florence, perceiving what line of conduct he meant to adopt, instinctively selected a reciprocal one for herself "Herbert Atwater, you ought to be punished! I''way," Herbert returned, unlance, he set down theprofoundly entoical in a soiled memorandum book upon the table "Run away, Flor'nce Run away somewheres and play"

Florence approached "'Play'!" she echoed tartly "I should think _you_ wouldn't talkthose poor, poor little bugs!"

"'Teasing'!" Herbert exclaimed: "That shows! That shows!"

"Shohat?"

"How much you know!" He became despondent about her "See here, Florence; it does look to h not to disturbI should think----"

But she did not prove so meek as to await the conclusion of his re as wicked in my whole born days! What did any of those poor, poor little bugs ever do to you, I'd like to know, you got to go and confine 'em like this! And look how dirty your hands are!"

This final charge, wandering so far frouilt, was purely auto the course of any cousinly discussion, whatever the subject in dispute, and she had not even glanced at Herbert's hands to assure herself that the accusation arranted But, as usual, the facts supported her; and they also supported Herbert in his immediate mechanical retort: "So're yours!"