er; indeed almost everything in the shape of toys that the childish
heart could desire.

The lonely little girl had not lacked for any pleasure that money could
procure: but she had hungered for that best earthly gift--the love of
father, mother, brothers and sisters--which can be neither bought nor
sold.

The children examined all these things with intense interest and a sort
of wondering awe, then begged their mother to tell them again about
"dear grandma."

They had heard the story--all that mamma and mammy could tell--many
times, but it never lost its charm.

"Yes, dears, I will: I love to think and speak of her," Elsie said,
sitting down in a low chair while they gathered closely round her, the
older two, one on each side, the others leaning upon her lap.

"Mamma, it is a sad story; but I love it," little Elsie said, drawing a
deep sigh, as the tale came to an end.

"Yes, poor little girl, playing up here all alone," said Eddie.

"'Cept mammy," corrected Vi.

"Yes, mammy to love her and take care of her, but no brother or sister
to play with, and no dear mamma or papa like ours."

"Yes, poor dear grandma!" sighed little Elsie. "And it was almost as
hard for you, mamma, when you were a little girl: didn't you feel very
sad?"

"Ah, daughter, I had Jesus to love me, and help me in all my childish
griefs and troubles," the mother answered, with a glad smile; "and mammy
to hug and kiss and love me just as she does you."

"But oh, didn't you want your mamma and papa?"

"Yes, sorely, sorely at times; but I think no little child could be
happier than I was when at last; my dear father came home, and I found
that he loved me dearly. Ah, I am so glad, so thankful that my darlings
have never suffered for lack of love."

"I too, mamma."

"And I."

"And I," they exclaimed, clinging about her and loading her with
caresses.

"Hark!" she said, "I hear your dear grandpa's step, and there, he is
knocking at the door."

Eddie ran to open it.

"Ah, I thought I should find you here, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said,
coming in. "I, too, want to see these things; it is long since I looked
at them."

She gave him a pleased look and smile, and stepping to the closet he
stood for some moments silently gazing upon its treasures.

"You do well to preserve them with care as mementoes of your mother," he
remarked, coming back and seating himself by her side.

"O grandpa, you could tell us more about her, and dear mamma