'Yes, ma'am, it was that day when you spoke to me about something I hadn't done properly, and I was a bit put out, and in a temper like, when Miss Milly heard me say it, but I really didn't mean it, I hardly thought of what I was saying,' answered Martha.

'Where were you, Milly, when you heard Martha say it?' asked Mrs. Ellis.

'Down-stairs,' answered Milly, getting very

red.

'In the kitchen, you mean,' said Mrs. Ellis. 'You see you might as well have told me the truth at once, as I happen to know all about it. If I had known at first that it was in the kitchen you had heard it, I certainly should not have taken any notice of it. Now, Martha,' she continued, 'you can do as you like. Think over it, and tell me this evening if you prefer to go or to stay.'

'Thank you, ma'am,' answered Martha, as she left the room.

'Missus is a just lady,' she remarked as she went into the kitchen, 'she'll hear both sides of a thing, and act fairly.'

'Yes, that she is,' answered Jane. 'She was in the store-room just now, and heard us talking

about her and Miss Milly. Now some mistresses would have flew out with us, if they had heard us talking in that manner, but missus sees the justice of it.'

'She says I may stay if I like to,' continued Martha, and I am not going to change a good mistress for an uncertain one.'

'Ah! that's joyful!' said Jane, 'I didn't look forward to seeing a new face in the place of yours, Martha, I can tell you!'

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ellis had called nurse into the dining-room, and questioned her in the same manner, as to all that Milly had said of her, and then told her frankly that she was sorry she should have believed anything so unjust against her. She made Milly beg nurse's pardon, and then made her do the same to Martha. As Milly was of a proud disposition, this was not at all agreeable to her, and she was thoroughly sulky for the rest of the morning. Mrs. Ellis was herself very much grieved to think what mischief had already been done through Milly's tongue, without her knowing it, and what might not be going on even now, perhaps, from the same cause. Some mischief seemed always coming to light, which

was done by her child. Milly was a whisperer. 'A whisperer separateth chief friends.' Milly had done this. 'An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour.' Milly had done this, too. How were these things to be stopped? They must be checked, somehow, for the habit seemed to be growing upon Milly, and if she did so much harm in her childhood, what would it be when she grew up? Mrs. Ellis felt quite unhappy at the thought. A strict school should be tried, but it was very doubtful if even that would

answer.

WISH

A COUNCIL.

you would tell me what Emma has done wrong, that you have taken

such a sudden dislike to her?' asked

David one morning, the day before he was going back to school.

'She is a hypocrite,' replied Annie.

'What makes you think that?' asked David.

I do not only think it, but I know it,' answered Annie.

'How came you to know it, then?' David asked again.

She is very sweet and affectionate to our faces,' replied Annie, 'but she says unkind things behind our backs.'

'Who told you that she did?' inquired David.

'Why, how curious you are, David!' Annie If you wish to know parti

replied, laughing.

cularly, it was Milly.'

'Really?' said David. 'I thought as much: but if I were you, I would not put faith in all Milly said, and besides, I do not think it is fair to hear only one side of a thing. In all courts of justice the accused are allowed to hear what is said against them, and to answer it, if they can.'

'Perhaps you would like to hold a court for the purpose, and be judge and jury?' asked Edith, archly.

'Your Royal Highness judges truly in that respect,' replied David, as he made a low bow. 'I don't bargain for it, though,' said Annie. Et pourquoi non?' demanded David, with a slight tone of satire in his voice.

'Such a fuss about nothing!' answered Annie. 'If it is nothing, pray why is Emma called a hypocrite?' asked David.

'But it is no good to make a fuss about it,' replied Annie. She will only think us very un

kind.'

For my part,' said David, 'I think it is far

more unkind to treat her with coolness, and show