Eight cousins : or, The aunt-hill

220 EIGHT COUSINS." Rose, we must not fly about from one thing toanother in this way," began Dr. Alec ; but she whisperedquickly, with a nod towards Mac, whose goggleswere turned wistfully in the direction of the forbiddenbooks, —" He 's blue to-day, and we must amuse him ;give alittle lecture on eyes, and it will do him good. Nomatter about me, uncle."" Very well ; the class will jolease be seated," andthe Doctor gave a sounding rap on the table." Come, sit by me, dear, then we can both see thepictures ; and if your head gets tired you can liedown," said Rose, generously opening her little collegeto a brother, and kindly providing for the weaknessesthat all humanity is subject to.Side by side they sat and listened to a very simpleexplanation of the mechanism of the eye, finding itwonderful as a fairy tale, for fine plates illustrated it,and a very willing teacher did his best to make thelesson j^leasant." Jove ! if I 'd known what mischief I was doing tothat mighty delicate machine of mine, you would n'thave caught me reading by fire light, or studyingwith a glare ofsunshine on my book," said Mac, j^eeringsolemnly at a magnified eyeball ; then, jDushing itaway, he added indignantly: "Why isn't a fellowtaught all about his works, and how to manage 'em,and not left to go blundering into all sorts of worries ?Telling him after he 's down is n't much use, for thenhe 's found it out himself and won't thank you."" Ah, Mac, that's just what I keep lecturing about,and people ioo7ih listen. You lads need that sort ofas