sitting by, did not speak to the children, to advise a little more
quietness in the play. But there were a party of young girls whispering
together behind Jane, and when Edward turned in her direction, though
she escaped, he fell amongst these girls, and, as might be expected,
such a romping scene ensued, as may often be seen at blindman's buff.
Just at this moment a servant came in to say a gentleman had called on
some business, and both Mr. and Mrs. Jameson left the room together, to
see this gentleman. They were scarcely gone before the noise increased
to such an extent, that one or two of the servants came to the parlour
door; and well was it, as we shall shew presently, that they did so, but
Mr. and Mrs. Jameson being gone to another part of the house, were not
disturbed by the sounds. So, as I said, Edward found himself amongst the
group of young girls, who all struggled to get away from him; and then
such a scene of running and screaming, and shouting and romping
followed, as the like of which I have no desire to see. Every one ran,
and no one knew whither they were going, and it so chanced that some ran
in the direction of where Reuben had been seated by Marten, amidst the
piled-up chairs. The child, who had been sitting there sometime, and who
did not understand the game, for he had never seen it before, was
doubtful whether to be frightened or not; but as Edward, whom he knew so
well, and who was always kind to him, was the pursuer, and as the
children were laughing, he thought he might laugh too, and not liking
sitting still when all were running and jumping round him, he slid down
from his high seat and joined the group that had fled to that end of the
room from Edward. As ill luck would have it, Edward turned in that
direction somewhat suddenly, and there was a loud cry of one and all to
run, and instantly all did run, Reuben too obeying the call, and setting
off as fast as his little legs would let him.

As might have been expected, the elder children escaped, and Edward