sked abruptly, and, as I fancied, a
little sternly.

"'When my sister Alice died, uncle, I was so sad and lonely without
her,' I replied. 'Mamma was so busy nursing my brother William, that I
had to amuse myself the best way I could; and so I used to sit by the
window gazing up into the sky; and when the clouds came sailing past, I
used to fancy I saw sister Alice in the very white ones. Nurse told me
she is now clothed in white, and I knew Alice would weary to see me too;
and I used to think God, who is so good and kind, would perhaps let her
hide in the white clouds.'

"Uncle John drew me closer to him, and instead of reproving me for my
fancy, he kissed me, as he said, 'Poor child, poor little town-bred
child, if you had had flowers, and birds, and butterflies to chase, it
would have been better for you. I think we shall have to write and ask
mamma to send us Willie here also.'

"'Oh, that would be so nice!' I exclaimed. 'Willie would enjoy it so
much! But see, uncle, there are some children with a donkey coming this
way.'

"'These are some of the young people I told you were living with Mrs.
Berkley.--Hollo!' cried uncle, signalling to the children, who came
running down the path as fast as they could the moment they heard the
rector's voice. There was a little girl on the donkey's back, and two
boys by the side of it, with a stable-lad to see that she did not tumble
off.

"'We were so glad when you called, sir,' said the oldest boy. 'Aunt
Berkley said we might go and meet you, but we thought you would come by
the highway.'

"'Yes; but this little niece of mine had never seen the sea, and I
wanted to let her have her first view from the Bluff Crag.'

[Illustration: VEA ON HER DONKEY.]

"'Then you have never been down to the beach?' said the little girl. 'We
must get aunt to allow us to go there after dinner. It is such a
delightful walk;--isn't it, sir? And you needn't be afraid to trust her
with us, for we take Natilie when we go, and she is so careful.'

"'And who is Natilie?' inquired Uncle John, lifting the little girl from
the donkey at her request.

"'Oh, Natilie is our French maid, and she is so nice; even the boys like
Natilie.--But what is your name, please?' she continued, turning to me.
'Mine is Vivian Berkley, but the boys and all my friends call me Vea.'

"'My name is Lilian, but I am called Lily at home--Lily Ashton,' I
replied.

"'Then I shall call you Lily too, may I not?' she said, l