Edmund swallowed a little lump in his throat. "If you'll make up
with me, now, I'll never be mad with you again," said he, holding
out his hand.

Oscar clasped it across the bed over the mangled remains of the
too-adventurous Marcus Aurelius, whose adventures, thus, were not
quite in vain.

Edmund kept his word. Indeed, he was surprised to find how easy it
was to like Oscar; and Nora's prediction was fulfilled. The two
boys were very happy in Europe; but Edmund never forgot Marcus. He
told the truth to Nora and she persuaded Mrs. Morris to deal gently
with Oscar. He went to the races, after all. Previously Edmund had
written the whole story to Lady Margaret in a letter which she read
with smiles and tears. The postscript was by Oscar. It ran as
follows:


DEER LADY MARGARET:--

Ned wont let me see his letter but I'm sure he
took all the blame on himself becaws he always dose
but it was me too blame and not him becaws I
pined the snake in my coat pocket becaws I was
affraid to handel it and ran off too the punch
and gudy show and it got out and the head water
killed it I didn't give him any tip when he went
away I'm very sorry and I'm sorry I kicked the
mormossits but they bit my legs No more at pressent
from your obedient servent too comand.