is a very
trying season in many ways, the first really hard time that comes into a
boy's or a girl's life."

"Yes, and one is constantly learning those lessons in one way and
another during all the rest of one's life," sighed Aunt Barbara. Then
her face lighted up, and she added, "Just in proportion as she thinks
that she does things for other people she is making steps upward for
herself."

"I always think that Betty looks like Bewick's picture of the robin
redbreast; you remember it? There is an expression to its little beak
which always reminds me of my girl."

Aunt Barbara was much amused, but confessed that she remembered it, and
that Betty and the bird really resembled each other. "I think there is a
very good print of it in the large White's 'Selborne' which you sent
me," she said, going to one of the bookshelves and taking it down. "Yes,
they are certainly like one another," she repeated. "You see that this
copy has been used? I lent it for a long time to my young neighbor,
Henry Foster."

"I am very much interested in that lad!" exclaimed Mr. Leicester. "I
don't know that among all the students I can remember I have seen one
who strikes me as being so intent and so really promising. Betty has
written about him, but I imagined that he interested her because he had
a boat and could take her out on the river. I supposed that he was one
of the idle fellows who evade their honest work, and, with a smattering
of pretty tastes which give them plenty of conceit, come to no sort of
use in the end. Betty knows enough of my hobbies to talk about his fish
a little, and I thought it was all girlish nonsense; the truth is that
she has shown real discernment of character,--young Foster is a fine
fellow."

"Can you do anything for him?" asked Miss Leicester. "I pity his poor
mother with all my heart. She is very ambitious for her son. I wish that
he could earn enough for their needs, and still be able to go on with
some serious study. Mrs. Foster and the daughter would make any
sacrifice, but they must have something to eat and to wear. I cannot see
how they can absolutely do without him even if his own expenses are
paid. They will not accept charity."

"I could learn by talking with him this evening that he is able already
to take some minor post in a museum. He would very soon make up what he
lacks in fitness, if we could put him where he could get hold of the
proper books. He must be put under the right influences,