70 THE FISHING PARTY.

Papa-and the boys put bait on their hooks; all the

lines were thrown into the water; and each one re-

mained silent and attentive.

Victor, who did not care to join in the, sport,

seated himself on the grass beside his mother. He

watched his brothers and sisters, who kept so still

and quiet, and the river, which flowed peacefully

along, its tiny wavelets shining and glittering in the

sunlight like flames. He also watched the little fish

in the. transparent water, who, fearing nothing, were

darting about the surface, as if enjoying the heat.

" Papa," said. Helen, speaking very softly for fear

of frightening the fish,-" Papa, .there is something

pulling at my line, and the hook is dragged away

under the water !"

"It is a fish that has got hold of it," replied her

father; " draw in your line."

Helen drew her line out of the water, and saw a

little struggling fish suspended from it.

"Why does it move about so much, papa ?-is itsuffering any pain ? " asked the little girl.

"Of course it is, my child, for it is pierce& by the

hook."

"0 papa! how sorry I am I I will not fish any

more "