"Are you going to have a pic-nic?" cried Gerty, eagerly. "Oh, what fun!"

"Mama always lets us choose what we like best to do on our birth-day," said Daisy; "and we thought a pic-nic to the Hollow would be pleasantest, if you all like it."

"Nothing would please me more, thank you," responded Miss May, "and I am sure the brothers of whom I have heard so much will help to make a merry party!'

"Oh! yes, of course Eric and Hubert will come!" said Lily, “and now, Daisy, remember, we promised to meet mama and go for a walk in the meadows, so if we may start now, we shall be just in time.”

"I had nearly forgotten!" exclaimed Daisy, and in haste the twins said good-bye to Miss May and Gerty, and ran off homewards. They met their mother at the stile that led into the meadows, and directly they had crossed it, the two girls told her the story of Miss May, and their own distress at having said anything that could cause her pain. Mrs Morton sympathized with them, and was very earnest in the hope she expressed that her children would always remember the trying position of those who have to earn their livelihood among strangers.

"You know, Daisy and Lily, that when a governess arrives in the midst of a happy family circle, she does not feel herself a part of it; and many times must her heart sadden at the familiar words and caresses addressed to all about her, in which she has no share.

Perhaps quite as happy a home has once been her's, and it is a duty we owe to the stranger to requite the many weary hours of instruction, not only with money, but with kindness and sympathy. I think very highly of Miss May for speaking so frankly to you, and I hope you will always remember the effort it must have cost her to seek your kindly feelings."

"I like her much better since she told us about herself, mama," said Lily, lifting her sweet young face earnestly; "it seems to have taken off all the strangeness we felt at first."

And, indeed, mama we do get on so much better with our drawing and music since Miss May has taught us!" said Daisy, brightly; "it is so different from school teaching-we seem to understand what we learn."

"I can see that, dear," said Mrs Morton, "and of course a teacher who has only three pupils has much greater advantages than one who is expected to instruct a school."

"We are close to the Parsonage, mama," said Lily, "and I see Mr Leslie and little Minnie at the gate. May we stop and see them?"

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Certainly, dear," said Mrs Morton, and she exchanged greetings with the young clergyman, who held open the gate with so resolute an intention that the party should come in, that little Minnie, a toddling child of three, seized Daisy's frock and pulled her in, followed by the others.

Mr Leslie's face was one which children instinctively

I

loved and trusted. He was a general favourite, but amongst children he was an undisputed ruler; and his services for the young, held every third Sunday, in the afternoon, were thronged by many who must have walked a long way to share in the intelligent pleasure prepared for them. What a rare gift is this power of attracting and instructing the young! How many an earnest preacher fails for want of that subtle and indescribable charm of manner which makes a child feel that it is loved first, and then that it is taught because it is loved! The call of duty cannot be felt very early; but the call of love,-ah! babies

recognize and obey that!

"It is really too late for a visit, Mr Leslie !" said Mrs Morton, "it is past seven o'clock."

"You must not call that late, this lovely evening!" answered Mr Leslie, "we will see you across the meadows presently, if you will stay half-an-hour now."

And then Mrs Leslie came from the pretty Parsonage drawing-room, and little Eddie followed her. At once the little ones ran off to display the garden to the twins, and Mrs Morton enjoyed a quiet chat with her hostess.

When they were leaving, Mr Leslie and his wife. prepared to accompany them, and the two little children were sent off to bed; indeed, an old nurse had several times tried to coax them in, but the visitors had begged for a longer stay of the little boy and girl. Daisy was especially fond of very little

children, and she had gladly accepted nurse's invitation to accompany the rebellious Eddie to the nursery. Daisy liked to see the places where babies work out their term of banishment from civilized society, and the surroundings then enjoyed by them, which are all forgotten afterwards. The high nursery fender, with a brass rim at the top, the reflection of which threw a big cage pattern over the walls and ceiling on evenings when the fire blazed cheerily; the large airing horse that made such a good house to play in, when well covered; the cradle packed away in the corner; and nurse's rocking chair-all were pleasant pictures to Daisy's eyes, and she would have lingered now to enjoy them, but her mother's voice called from the garden below, and so with hasty kisses she ran away from the coaxing little ones who would have kept her.

THE holidays had begun, and the return of Eric and Hubert from Rugby produced much excitement at the Grange; and they had not been at home an hour when they proposed to visit their aunt and cousins at the cottage. Gerty accompanied them, and, indeed, her delight at seeing the boys again was so great that she followed them about the house, picking up bits of school news here and there, and treating the distinguished public characters (for as such she regarded the Rugby boys) with admiring respect.

Mrs Arthur Morton greeted her nephews with much warmth; and so agreeable did they find her, that her invitation to tea was eagerly accepted by them.

"What a jolly little house, Daisy!" said Eric; "I like little houses, they're so awfully snug."

"Yes, and no servants to bother one!" chimed in Hubert.

"Oh!" said Daisy, laughing, "we have one servant ; and," she added in a lower tone, "she is very particular as to our behaviour, I assure you."