urrounded it, ivy smothered it, leaving
just enough of room for the windows to peep out, and a few of the old
red bricks to show in harmony with the green. Creepers in great variety
embraced it, and a picturesque clump of trees on a knoll behind
sheltered it from the east wind. There was a farm-yard, which did not
belong to itself, but was so close to it that a stranger could scarcely
have told whether it formed part of the Rosebud domain or that of the
neighbouring cottage. The day, too, was exceptionally fine. It was one
of those still, calm, sunny, cloudless days, which induce healthy people
sometimes to wish that earth might be their permanent home.

"Oh, bybie!" exclaimed Tottie Bones, when, having clambered to the top
of the knoll, she sat down on a tree-root and gazed on the cottage and
the farm-yard, where hens were scratching in the interest of active
chickens, and cows were standing in blank felicity, and pigs were
revelling in dirt and sunshine--"Oh, bybie! it's 'eaven upon earth,
ain't it, darling?"

The darling evidently agreed with her for once, for, lying on his back
in the long grass, he seized two handfuls of wild-flowers, kicked up his
fat legs, and laughed aloud.

"That's right, darling. Ain't it fun? And _such_ flowers too--oh! all
for nothing, only got to pull 'em. Yes, roll away, darling, you can't
dirty yourself 'ere. Come, I shall 'ave a roll too." With which remark
Tottie plunged into the grass, seized the baby and tumbled him and
herself about to such an extent that the billycock hat was much
deteriorated and the feather damaged beyond recovery.

Inside The Rosebud the other two members of the party were also enjoying
themselves, though not exactly in like manner. They revelled in tea and
in the feast of reason.

"Where, and when, and why did you find that child?" asked Miss
Stivergill.

Her friend related what she knew of Tottie's history.

"Strange!" remarked Miss Stivergill, but beyond that remark she gave no
indication of the state of her mind.

"It is indeed strange," returned her friend, "but it is just another
instance of the power of God's Word to rescue and preserve souls, even
in the most unfavourable circumstances. Tottie's mother is Christian,
and all the energies of her vigorous nature are concentrated on two
points--the training of her child in the fear of God, and the saving of
her husband from drink. She is a woman of strong faith, and is quite
convinced th