in bounds, and I am
quite as conscious of them as if they were seen. They do not, however,
overcome me as they might if others saw them. But after all, Ruth, I
think we often call things faults in others, that would be virtues, if
we knew more of their lives and the motives that prompted their
conduct."

"It is probable," said her sister, "but there is not much of this
getting to understand each other's natures. There is not enough trouble
taken to find one another out."

[Illustration: Decoration]

CHAPTER IV.

LITTLE PHILIP.

THERE never was a greater contrast than that presented by the two
sisters in their mode of government. Entering the school-room of each,
you could not detect the least difference in the order of the scholars,
but while the result appeared the same, the methods were very different.

Ruth said "silence" or "looked silence," as the children expressed it,
and there was silence. She spake and it was done, for the children well
knew that she would have no disobedience. She was never unkind, and she
loved children, though she seldom showed them her love; so if you had
asked her scholars if they loved their teacher, they probably would
have said they thought her nice and kind, for she did not whip, and she
tied up their cut fingers.

It did not look dignified, some people thought, and they were sure Miss
Agnes had no control over her scholars, as they saw her surrounded by
them every day on her way to and from school. It was such an honor to
carry her lunch basket, such delight to be first to meet her and have a
place at her side. O, how they loved her! "She was the very nicest
teacher that ever lived." And many even resolved not to study too hard
for fear they should be promoted and have to leave her. Then when the
time came for them to leave, such tears were shed at parting, that Agnes
determined not to allow herself to be so loved in the future, and
succeeded for a day or two; but it was strange, she did not know how it
came, there was always the same ending.

Ruth assured her she would get over all that in time; but love was as
necessary to Agnes as sunshine is to flowers, and among these little
ones the pent up fountain found an outlet.

Ruth kept her love away, deep hidden from sight, when it became so
intense that it was almost painful; in the other nature it kept bubbling
up and running over whenever it found a heart that would receive it.

Agnes delighted in teaching, but Ru