'What appears to me the most mysterious part of the story,' said
Rupert, 'is how the beloved Fido, petted and watched and nursed and
guarded as he seems to have been, should have contrived to stray from
your house as far as to the river.'
'Oh! that is no mystery at all,' said Elizabeth; 'we crossed the
bridge twice yesterday evening, and I dare say we left him behind us
there.'
'What could you have been doing on the bridge yesterday evening?'
said Rupert. 'Oh! I know; I saw the people coming away from a tee-
total entertainment; you were certainly there, Anne, I hope you
enjoyed it.'
'How very near the truth you do contrive to get, Rupert,' said
Elizabeth.
'Then,' cried Rupert, with a start, 'I see it all. I thought you all
looked very queer at breakfast. I understand it all. You have been
to the Mechanics' Institute.'
'Yes, Rupert,' said Elizabeth.
'No, but you do not mean to say that you really have, Lizzie and
Anne,' cried Rupert, turning round to look into their faces.
Each made a sign of assent; and Rupert, as soon as he had recovered
from his astonishment, burst into a violent fit of laughter, which
lasted longer than either his sister or cousin approved, and it was
not till after he had been well scolded by both, that he chose to
listen to their full account of all that had passed on the subject.
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