g his lessons
sadly. Just of late we could not wonder that the poor child's heart
was so full; but he must make haste, and get on all the more for his
idleness." Miss Benson piqued herself on being a disciplinarian.

"Oh, as for lessons, Walter is so very anxious that you should give
way to his superior wisdom, Ruth, and let Leonard go to school. He
will send him to any school you fix upon, according to the mode of
life you plan for him."

"I have no plan," said Ruth. "I have no means of planning. All I can
do is to try and make him ready for anything."

"Well," said Jemima, "we must talk it over at Abermouth; for I
am sure you won't refuse to come, dearest, dear Ruth! Think of
the quiet, sunny days, and the still evenings, that we shall have
together, with little Rosa to tumble about among the fallen leaves;
and there's Leonard to have his first sight of the sea."

"I do think of it," said Ruth, smiling at the happy picture Jemima
drew. And both smiling at the hopeful prospect before them, they
parted--never to meet again in life.

No sooner had Mrs Farquhar gone than Sally burst in.

"Oh! dear, dear!" said she, looking around her. "If I had but known
that the rector was coming to call, I'd ha' put on the best covers,
and the Sunday tablecloth! You're well enough," continued she,
surveying Ruth from head to foot; "you're always trim and dainty
in your gowns, though I reckon they cost but tuppence a yard, and
you've a face to set 'em off; but as for you" (as she turned to Miss
Benson), "I think you might ha' had something better on than that
old stuff, if it had only been to do credit to a parishioner like me,
whom he has known ever sin' my father was his clerk."

"You forget, Sally, I have been making jelly all the morning. How
could I tell it was Mr Grey when there was a knock at the door?" Miss
Benson replied.

"You might ha' letten me do the jelly; I'se warrant I could ha'
pleased Ruth as well as you. If I had but known he was coming,
I'd ha' slipped round the corner and bought ye a neck-ribbon, or
summut to lighten ye up. I'se loath he should think I'm living with
Dissenters, that don't know how to keep themselves trig and smart."

"Never mind, Sally; he never thought of me. What he came for, was to
see Ruth; and, as you say, she's always neat and dainty."

"Well! I reckon it cannot be helped now; but if I buy ye a ribbon,
will you promise to wear it when church-folks come? for I cannot
abide the way t