y to look
at it, so good-bye," said she, and slipping a shilling into Joe's hand,
ran home with the news to Fred, that the cat was by this time at the
bottom of the tea, and his canaries were safe for ever from her claws.

Fred was not a hard-hearted boy, and his sister's tale really grieved
him. He kissed her several times over, as he said he now wished he had
never bought the birds, that they had caused Edith nothing but trouble
and that he was very sorry.

"I am not sorry, Fred dear, at least I am only sorry for being forced to
drown Muff. I like to give you my room, and I like to give up my cat to
you, and I shall not cry any more about it, so don't be unhappy."

"And all this for me," said Fred; "I who teased you so yesterday
afternoon, and always am teasing you, I think!" How pleased Emilie
looked! She did not praise Edith, but she gave her such a look of
genuine approval as was a rich reward to her little pupil. "_This_ is
the way. Edith dear, to overcome evil with good; go on, _watch_ and
pray, and you will subdue Fred in time as well as your own evil
tempers."

How easy all this looks to read about! How swift the transition from bad
to good! Who has not felt, in reading Rosamond and Frank, a kind of envy
that they so soon overcame their errors, so soon conquered their bad
habits and evil dispositions? Dear young reader, it is _not_ easy to
subdue self; it is not easy to practise this law of kindness, love, and
forbearance; it is not easy to live peaceably with all men, but believe
me, it is not impossible. He who giveth liberally and upbraideth not,
will give you grace, and wisdom, and help to do this if you ask it. The
promise is, "Ask and ye shall receive." Edith In her helplessness naked
strength of God and it was given. That which was given to her He will
not withhold from you. Only try Him.

For the comfort of those who may not have such a friend as Emilie, we
would remind our readers that the actual work of Edith's change, for
such it was, was that which no friend however wise and however good
could effect. There is no doubt but that to her example Edith owed much.
It led her to _think_ and to _compare_, and was part of the means used
by the all-wise God, to instruct this little girl; but if you have not
Emilie for a friend, you may all have the God, whom Emilie served, for a
friend. You may all read in the Bible which she studied, and in which
she learned, from God's love to man, how we should love