Miss Thorley had a little rolling-bed placed in our apartment for Geraldine; and from that time she became a most useful assistant to our beloved governess, for her parents' presents made her a person of consequence in the school, and few liked to offend her, and thus was she made the means of leading the young people to better things."

"And that pretty book, Ma'am," enquired Emma eagerly, "have you that book still in your possession?"

“I have it still, my love," replied Mrs. Colton," and some day, if you come to my apartment by yourself, I will lend it you to read."

Emma was much pleased, and was going to ask many more questions about Geraldine, and Miss Thorley, and Maria Cary, when suddenly she heard the sound of a carriage, and looking up, the little girl perceived the head of her brother William outside the window, calling upon her to make haste, and run after them to the house.

It was a joyful meeting between the brother and sister, and they talked so fast, and were so happy, that neither could make themselves heard. At last, Emma hearing the clock strike two, asked her brothers and

sisters what had brought thein home so long before she expected them.

"Because papa had settled his business," replied Caroline, "and William wanted to see you; so papa says he will take us all himself some day to Kendal, and then we shall remain there all day, for he did not like to shew us any thing while you were away.”

"O, how kind, how very, very kind papa is,” said Emma, the tears rising in her eyes. “But tell me, my darling sister," enquired William, "how you came to meet us so nicely just at the corner of the road?"

“I had been walking with Mrs. Colton to see Jane Thomas," answered Emma; "and Mrs. Colton has been telling me a sweet story, and so we lingered in that meadow by the road-side till it was finished; and some day when we want any amusement I will tell it you."

The children's dinner being now ready, the little ones sat down to table with good appetites and cheerful countenances.

CHAPTER IV.

Charity vaunteth not itself.

WHEN Emma and Caroline went to their own room for the night, they talked a great deal about the pleasure it gave them to have their dear brother William again at home.

"He will soon be as tall as papa, I think," said Caroline.

"Not for some years yet, Miss," replied Mary; "but how old is your brother, Miss Caroline?"

"He will be fifteen next March, Mary," she answered; 66 so you see he is not so very young as you might fancy."

"Fifteen!" repeated the nursemaid; “ but, Miss Caroline, you should not reckon a year in advance, for this is only the beginning of June."

The nursemaid having put the little girls to bed, wished them a good night, and left the apartment.

66 "I am so glad Mary is gone," said Emma, "for I have a great deal to tell you, Caroline, about my walk with Mrs. Colton this morning while you were at Kendal.”

The child then, in as few words as her story would permit, related the scene in Mrs. Thomas's cottage to her sister, telling her all the poor woman had said about their departed parent. "Mamma loved Jane Thomas very much, Mrs. Colton says," added Emma, "and I am sure Jane loved mamma, because she cried to-day when they spoke about mamma's kindness to the poor people in the village."

"But what can we do for Jane,” asked Caroline;"shall we ask papa to give us some money for her?"

"I do not think that it would be any charity in us to give papa's money," answered Emma; "but as we both of us have sixpence a week, let us each save three-pence, and give it ourselves to Jane every week, and then we shall be doing as dear mamma would like us to do, and then our money will be spent well."

"O, yes, yes, we will," exclaimed Caroline, joyfully," and we will begin this week; the day after to-morrow is Thursday, and then we shall receive our money, and we will ask Mrs. Colton to walk with us, and it will be so pleasant!"

The little girls, as their custom was, then kissed each other, and soon fell asleep.

It was a bright summer's morning when they awoke, and the sun was shining into their room when Mary came to dress them. "Make haste, young ladies," she said, "and get up, for your brothers and sisters are already down stairs with Miss Fortescue; and Miss Alice has got permission for you to breakfast with your papa in the parlour this morning.”

You may be assured that Caroline and Emma were soon dressed, and they gaily ran down stairs, for they all loved their papa very much; and they all liked to be with him, he was so kind and gentle.

"My little Aly has got a new frock on this morning," said Miss Fortescue, "and she is going to shew papa and William that she can eat her breakfast and drink her tea without soiling in one place her nice new frock."