than good ones," said Jem. "And I'm bound to be a rich man. You'll
see, Miss Bethia."

Then he went on to tell of the wonderful things that were to happen when
he became a rich man. Old Don was to be superannuated, and his father
was to have a new horse, and a new fur coat to wear when the weather was
cold. His mother and Violet were to have untold splendours in the way
of dress, and the children as well. Davie was to go to college, and
there should be a new bell to the church, and a new fence to the
grave-yard, and Miss Bethia was to have a silk gown of any colour she
liked, and a knocker to her front door. There was a great deal of fun
and laughter, in which even Miss Bethia joined, and when Violet called
them to tea, Jem whispered to David that they had escaped her serious
lecture for that time.

After tea, they all went again to the kitchen, which, indeed, was as
pleasant as many parlours, and while Violet washed the tea-dishes, Miss
Bethia went on with the ironing, and the boys went on with their
lessons. Just as they were all beginning to wonder what could be
delaying the return home of their father and mother, there came a
messenger to say that they had been obliged to go much farther than Mr
Spry's, to see a sick person, and that as they might not be home that
night, the children were not to wait for them past their usual time of
going to bed.

There were exclamations of disappointment from the younger ones, and
little Mary, who was getting sleepy and a little cross, began to cry.

"I had a presentiment that we should not see them to-night," said David,
taking his little sister on his lap to comfort her. "Never mind, Polly.
Mamma will be home in the morning, and we must be able to tell her that
we have all been good, and that nobody has cried or been cross, but
quite the contrary."

"I wish your mother knew that I had happened along. It would have set
her mind at rest about you all," said Miss Bethia.

The young people were not so sure of that, but there would have been no
use in saying so.

"Oh! mamma knows we can get on nicely for one night. But she will be
sorry to miss your visit, Miss Bethia," said Violet.

"She won't miss it. I shall have a visit with her when she gets home.
And now hadn't you better put the children to bed before you set down?"

But the children, except little Mary, were in the habit of putting
themselves to bed, and were not expected to do so till eight o'clock, as