thought you would keep your promise in the manner you have done 1 A very kind and loving mother you have surely been to me ! When I came to you, after her death, instead of soothing . my grief by loving words and caresses, you commanded me to stop my 'whimper ing.' and go to work. And I did so ; stifled all my grief in my bosom, and crushed back the tears that blinded my eyes, too proud to intrude my grief upon anyone. Yes, I tried to be good, and endeavoured to please you. But then you called me sulky, and said I looked as though I had not a friend in tbe world. And I really believe that if you and I had been the only dwellers therein, I should indeed have been friendless."

"A sulky child you told people I was. I would like to tell them what Nancy Rugg, the wife of the deacon of the village church, is ! But the good people- of the sewing circle would not believe me ; and you would answer, with that smile of sublime faith hover ing about your mouth, ' Poor child, my heartaches for her! I have tried in vain to make an improvement in her.' and then you would look as if you had passed through great trials, and had come back purified. Not a word ! You have talked to me two years, and now it is my turn. Wicked I am, no doubt. But what I am you have made me. To-morrow I shall be sixteen, and then I sh-ill be free to go where I please, and I shall go. I am deeply thankful for one thing, and that is, I am not a debtor to you for staying here. Good night ; Igo to my room to prepare to leave you in the morning.
