better, I think." So they
looked in the closets and the attic, everywhere; but some of the baskets
were full, and some broken; not one could they find that would do.

5. Then Aunt Annie turned out the spools and the bags from a nice large
workbasket, and gave that to Bessie. "You may have this for your own," she
said, "to fill with earth, or flowers, or anything you like."

6. "Oh I thank you," said Bessie, and she danced away through the garden.
She slipped through the gate, out into the field all starred with
dandelions, down in the hollow by the brook, then up on the hillside out
of sight among the shady trees.

7. How she worked that afternoon! She heaped up the dark, rich earth, and
smoothed it over with her hands. Then she dug up violets, and
spring-beauties, and other flowers,--running back and forth, singing all
the while.

8. The squirrels peeped out of their holes at Bessie. The birds sang in
the branches overhead. Thump, came something all at once into the middle
of the bed. Bessie jumped and upset the basket, and away it rolled down
the hill.

9. How Bessie laughed when she saw a big, brown toad winking his bright
eyes at her, as if he would say, "No offense, I hope."

10. Just then Bessie heard a bell ringing loudly. She knew it was calling
her home; but how could she leave her basket? She must look for that
first.

11. "Waiting, waiting, waiting," all at once sang a bird out of sight
among the branches; "waiting, Bessie."

12. "Sure enough," said Bessie; "perhaps I'm making dear mother or auntie
wait; and they are so good to me. I'd better let the basket wait. Take
care of it, birdie; and don't jump on my flowers, Mr. Toad."

LESSON LXIX.

visit soaked o be'di ent ru'ined

[Illustration: Girl on couch looking out window.]

BESSIE.
(CONCLUDED.)

1. She was back at the house in a few minutes, calling, "Mother! mother!
auntie! Who wants me?"

2. "I, dear," said her mother. "I am going away for a long visit, and if
you had not come at once, I could not have said good-by to my little
girl."

3. Then Bessie's mother kissed her, and told her to obey her kind aunt
while she was gone.

4. The next morning, Bessie waked to find it raining hard. She went into
her aunt's room with a very sad face. "O auntie! this old rain!"

5, "This new, fresh, beautiful rain, Bessie! How it will make our flowers
grow, and what a good time we can have together in the house!"

6. "I know it, au