d with a soft white
lace cap, and the same soft folds about hep neck, her delight was
complete.

"You dear, beautiful mother," she said, clasping the lace with a
plain jet pin; "it is just delightful to fix you up, everything sets
you out so; its better than dressing dolls. Won't Benjie be
delighted?"

When Maria, and John, and John's wife came to visit their new
sister-in-law, they were astonished beyond measure to find that
mother had been transformed into that handsome old lady who moved
about this elegant home with easy dignity, as if it were her own.
This rare son and daughter never made their mother feel that she was
that uncomfortable third person who spoiled delightful confidences
for young people; they talked freely together, and with her, and she
renewed her youth in their lively intercourse. When company was
announced she was given to retiring in haste from the room, just as
she did at Maria's and John's, but Marian stopped that with "Please
do stay, mother, and help us entertain them; besides, I want you in
that corner with your bright knitting to make our rooms picturesque;
you're the greatest ornament they contain." Then the old lady would
say, "Pooh! you don't want an old body like me," albeit she was well
pleased that she was wanted, and would remain, occasionally throwing
in her quaint remark, adding zest to the conversation.

If an old lady could be easily spoiled, Mrs. Kensett was in danger;
these two fond children were continually bringing offerings to her
shrine, flowers, choice fruit, new books, wherever they went they
remembered her. It was an altogether new and delightful life that she
had entered upon. With Marian she visited charitable institutions,
dispensed bounties--read the Bible to the sick and poor, and
ministered comfort to many a distressed soul. They attended wonderful
meetings, and sat in heavenly places, and Marian and she enjoyed each
other quite as much as they did everything else. The tie that united
them was not Benjamin alone; each recognised in the other the
lineaments of the Lord she loved, their sympathies flowed together as
if half a century did not stretch between them.

Is there any other influence known that levels all differences and
brings souls so near together as this strange personal love to
Christ? They talked and read together, they were dear, confidential
friends--such intercourse is rarely found between mother and
daughter.

The following summer, when the