"Poor Rhoda!" said Lucy, “so you could not remember that charity suffereth long and is kind.'”

"Indeed I did not forget it at first, and I tried very hard to keep my temper: but at last I could not help losing it."

"How did you try, my dear little cousin ?"

"Why, I determined to be patient; and—and,—I do not know exactly how I tried to be so; but at one time I felt quite sure that I should not be otherwise."

"So I thought, Rhoda; you felt quite sure of being able to control yourself. You did not think that strength from above was needed to assist you in the performance of your good resolutions.

You did not pray to the Almighty to help you, but relied on yourself alone; and that is the reason your endeavours to be good did not succeed. But I see you are much fatigued. To-morrow, I dare say, we shall hear some more about charity, from kind papa."

your

"I wish I had been listening to him to-day, instead of having visitors. I should have been happier then;" said Rhoda.

"These trials are useful," replied her cousin; "they shew us how weak we are when left to ourselves. Good night, dear child!" and kissing Rhoda tenderly, Lucy left the nursery.

45

CHAPTER IV.

THE WALK TO DAME HOLLIS'S COTTAGE.

"How pretty the frost is on the windows! it is just like trees, and plants, and rocks! I wonder whether mamma will take me to Dame Hollis's to-day. Do you think she will, Betsy, when she knows what happened yesterday?"

These words were rapidly spoken, and addressed to her kind nurse, by Rhoda, in the morning following the eventful day recorded in the last chapter.

Betsy expressed her hope that Mrs. Bloomfield would allow the little girl to visit the poor old woman; and re

commended her to go immediately to her mamma's room, and ascertain if she were up. Rhoda ran and tapped gently at Mrs. Bloomfield's chamber door. A kind voice answered, "Come in," and soon the child was in her mother's arms.

"Let me look at your eyes, my own darling," said the anxious parent. "They were very red yesterday evening: how was that?"

"I will tell you, my dearest mamma ;" replied Rhoda, and with her usual frankness, she related what had occurred on the previous day; shewing, certainly, a very charitable spirit, when speaking of her vexations: for she said Rupert did not mean to break her china; and that very likely, Stephen was so accustomed to destroy his own toys, that he did

And

not think of what he was doing. then she added, "As to Lydia, dear mamma, I was extremely cross to her, I own, when she most kindly offered to give me some animals in return for mine which her brother had broken."

Mrs. Bloomfield lamented that her child should so soon have forgotten her papa's good advice, but was pleased with the forgiving temper she evinced, and on that account consented to her going to Dame Hollis's.

At twelve o'clock, therefore, Rhoda stood at the gate of the well-trimmed garden in front of the Manor-house. By her side was a favorite greyhound, with a blue riband round his neck, who seemed as happy as his young mistress at the idea of the walk.