'I wish I might!' said Minnie, looking very pleased.

That afternoon Johnny was brought home again, but he could not run about and play with his brothers and sisters now, for he had to be put to bed.

As soon as he was in bed, Minnie brought a pretty book, and asked if he would like her to read to him.

Johnny liked this very much, for Minnie read very nicely, and she had got a very amusing book, called Alice in Wonderland.' When she found

that he liked being read to so much, she did it very often, and so helped to pass away the hours which seemed very long to Johnny, who was naturally a lively boy, and full of spirits and fun. It was a trial to him to have to lie still so long, but he was never without a companion; for Minnie was nearly always by his side, trying to amuse him, and when she was not, it was only when some of the others were there, for she took care that he should not be left alone.

After a fortnight, Johnny was allowed to get out of bed, but he had to lie on a sofa, for he could not put his leg to the ground.

The whole of the six weeks' holidays had passed, and Johnny was only now beginning to walk with the help of crutches, so he was not able to go back to school with Philip; but Motty went with him, to his great delight, for it was the first time of his going to school; and Johnny had to stay at home for another three weeks, till his leg was stronger.

After the other boys were gone, Minnie did everything she could to make the rest of Johnny's holidays pleasant to him, for she thought that he would likely find it dull without his brothers. As he could walk a little with his crutches, she used to go out for short walks with him. One day while they were out together, he said—

'Well, Min, it's a horrid bother about my leg, because it has spoilt everybody else's holiday, as well as my own.'

'Oh, never mind that now,' replied Minnie, 'we have only been very sorry for you, but I hope that your next holidays will be happier.'

These have been very pleasant, considering,' said Johnny, 'because you have been such a little brick, Min, and have been so kind to me. I'm sure no boy ever had a better sister."'

'I am glad that you have not been very dull,' said Minnie, but I'm sure I have not done much for I only wish I could have done more.' 'Fiddle-de-dee! What more could you do than you have done?' answered Johnny, laughing.

you;

'I wish you were not going away,' said Minnie. 'So do I,' replied Johnny, but I shall soon be home again. We shall not be away so long this time as we were last, but we shall be back again before we know it.'

'It will seem very dull without any boys at all!' said Minnie.

'Mind you write to me,' continued Johnny; 'you hardly ever wrote to me last half, but I shall expect ever so many letters from you this time, though it is shorter.'

'I will try to write oftener,' answered Minnie, 'but I write so badly that you would not care for my letters; you would hardly be able to read them.'

'I should manage to read them fast enough,' replied Johnny, 'so mind you write.'

'Very well,' said Minnie,

can.'

I will do what I

A few days after this, Johnny went away to

school again so the holidays were over till Christmas, and Miss Wescott came again.

Minnie had not forgotten her resolution to take pains with her lessons, so she worked steadily, and Miss Wescott was much pleased with her; and at Christmas, when the boys came home again, her mamma gave her a very pretty workbox, nicely fitted up, for a prize.

Minnie continued to make great progress in every way, and when she grew up, she proved a really useful woman. For she had learnt the great secret of unselfishness.

GIVING UP.

AMMA, dear,' said little Alice one morning, 'when may I have a new doll? I do want one so very much, and

you said that I should have one soon. I will really take great care of it, and I know I should love it so !'

'Well, my darling, answered her mamma, 'of course I will not break my promise; and so, if you like, a doll shall be my Easter gift to you. will be soon enough, will it not?'

That

'Oh thank you, thank you, my darling mamma!' cried Alice, jumping up and throwing her arms round her mamma's neck. 'I'm sure no other little girl has such a sweet pet of a mamma. May I come out with you to choose it?'

'I will see about it, dear, but not to-day, as