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have a man of your character about him down there."

"Say to the King, sir," said Shiana, "that I regard worldly riches as nothing and I care not whether I live or die, in comparison with carrying out the will of my King; that my good qualities are nothing to speak of, and my knowledge is small, but that however little or great my best may be, I will do it in his service. Ask his Majesty to give me a little time to arrange such business matters as I have in hand here, and to wind up my affairs."

"How much time would you need," said the Captain.

"A year and a quarter, sir," said Shiana.

"Very good," said the Captain.

The reason why Shiana said "a year and a quarter," was because, at that time, all that was left unspent of the thirteen years was only a year and a quarter.

Sheila.—Ach, the poor fellow! What good was his life to him! And just think how quickly the time had gone!

Abbie.—Yes, though one would think, at the beginning of the time, that there was no knowing when it would be spent.

Nora.—And her mother said that Peg wouldn't be thirteen years old until May.

Kate.—When did she say that?

Nora.—Don't you remember that night that Sheila got into such a fright, and that we all ran away? I had not gone quite out, and I heard that. "And you only thirteen years in May next," said she.

Peg.—However long or short the years were, they