but to cry: and this, we are glad to say, was not the first
time that the poor motherless girl had shed tears for her own follies
within the last day or two.

When she had left the room, Mrs. Goodriche said:

"Poor young creature! I am sorry for her."

"Yes, ma'am," said Lucy, "because she has had no mamma for many years;
but Emily and I begin to love her, she is so good-tempered."

"God will bless her," said Mrs. Fairchild; "He has shown His love by
giving her a friend who will be a mother to her."

"But now, my little girls," said Mrs. Goodriche, "these things which
you have made so prettily are your own."

"Thank you, ma'am," they both answered; "and may we do what we like
with them?"

"To be sure," replied Mrs. Goodriche.

"Then," said Emily, "I shall give one to Mary Bush, and another to
Margery, and another to Mrs. Trueman, for their best pin-cushions."

"And I shall give this housewife to nurse," said Lucy.

"I suppose," said Mrs. Goodriche, "that you will like to have them
furnished for the poor women; I will give what pins and needles can be
found on Monday morning; and at the same time I have for each of you a
piece of nice flowered chintz for your dolls."

The little girls kissed the old lady with all their hearts, and ran
away with the things which they had made: it was agreed that they were
not to talk of them again before Bessy.

Bessy's Misfortunes

[Illustration: Bessy was crying most piteously]

The Sunday morning was very fine, and there was a nice large party
going to church together. We have not mentioned Mr. Somers lately, but
he was still there, and very much beloved. His mother had lately come
to live with him; she was a very old friend of Mrs. Goodriche, and when
the two old ladies saw each other from their pews, they were vastly
pleased. They hastened to meet each other after service; and Mrs.
Somers begged all Mrs. Goodriche's party to come into the Parsonage
House, which was close to the church.

Mrs. Fairchild said there were too many for all to go in; so she
directed Betty to see the young ladies home: they had some way to walk,
but had hardly got out of the village when Betty said:

"We shall surely have a shower--we shall be caught in the rain if we
are not sharp."

"May we run, Betty?" asked Lucy and Emily; and having got leave, they
set off at full speed, and got into the house just in time.

"Come, Miss Goodriche," said Betty; "you can run, I know, as well