reciation that is needed, and without
that there can be no enjoyments."

Fortunately, for Guy, he did not see the party set out the next morning,
or the shock might so completely have overcome him as to unfit him for
any business whatever. But they waited until he had gone, and then they
started with their baskets, trowel, and garden-fork.

"People will take us for herb-gatherers, and think these are our
children," said Agnes, gaily.

"Shocking!" exclaimed Ruth, with mock earnestness.

They took the boat for several miles down the river, to the great
delight of the children, especially Philip, whose keen eyes took in the
smallest white speck of a sail, and then when they had climbed a very
little hill, and gone down a big one, they were in the woods.

"What a delightful perfume! Isn't it charming!" exclaimed Agnes,
delightedly, as she sat down by a tree to "enjoy herself." But the
children who had been scampering about, declared there was a much nicer
place not far off, and so Miss Agnes, who could imagine no scene more
charming, very reluctantly consented to tear herself away.

The spot chosen by the children was indeed lovely. Perfectly level
ground covered with the richest moss, out of which rose broad flat
rocks, and along side of which, not many yards distant, ran a clear
little stream on whose banks the feathery fern grew, and into which it
dipped its graceful frond. On the other side of the stream the wood was
more dense, but through it a broad path led to a bend in the river.

"We need go no farther," exclaimed both Ruth and Agnes. "Nothing could
exceed this for loveliness and shade.

"By the river of Babylon there we sat down," and Agnes once more settled
herself.

"There we hung our harps upon the willows," added Ruth, throwing her
shawl on a branch overhead. "Now, Agnes, let us take it easy and make
the most of the day, for such days will be like angel's visits."

"Well, suppose we rest first. Methinks I could forget myself in sleep."

Presently Ruth was accosted with, "I think I know now what I should do
if I were rich."

"What?" she asked.

"Take sick people into the country. That is, if I could afford to keep a
carriage. I have been thinking about it since yesterday."

Ruth knew what had brought it to her mind. Guy's picture of the women
and their babies; sick, of course.

"Yes," she said. "Many of those who die every year might become strong
and well again, if they could be taken from th