176 
LECTURE CALLED FOR. 
vulgar fractions,—supposing him to have 
advanced so far in his education.” 
“You would not let Dick play with him 
last summer,” persisted Annie. 
“ Richard was younger then, and the cir¬ 
cumstances are not the same. I should not 
like now to have him in the habit of spending 
his time idly around the mill in the com¬ 
pany of Jack’s former associates; hut, now 
that he seems desirous of leaving off his 
old habits and improving himself, I do not 
think Dick, or any of us, can employ our¬ 
selves better than in lending him a helping 
hand. I confess, my expectations as to the 
results are not very sanguine; but there is 
no harm, but, on the contrary, a great deal 
of good, in trying.” 
“Come, aunt; now for our lecture,” said 
Richard,—“unless you are too tired. We 
shall listen with more interest than ever 
now that we have really been in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of a wild animal.” 
“ I am going to get some cotton to wind 
on Jack’s winders,” said Miss Louisa. 
“ Meantime, you can be settling yourselves 
to your liking.” 
This was soon accomplished, Daisy taking 
