ght get a chance to have one good 'tuck in' for once, as the
street arabs say."

"Why, Elsie, I am surprised at you," was the mother's mild rebuke. "Surely
you can feel grateful, without requiring shoe-laces to 'fill up your cup
with joy,'" and there was a faint smile around the mouth that reproved in
such quiet tones.

"Ah! I know what ails me, mother dear. 'From all selfishness, envy,
uncharitableness,--and all the rest of it, good Lord, deliver me.' I'll say
it next Sunday with a different meaning to it, particularly if I get the
shoe-laces."

"Why, Elsie Gurney! how dare you speak those words so flippantly!" said
Cora severely, looking at her sister in surprise and displeasure.

"I wasn't _thinking_ flippantly, if I did speak so. I wasn't, truly,
mamma," said Elsie, in a contrite tone. "I never thought I was selfish
and--and all the other things when I said it over in church, but I do
believe I am--some--anyway. After this I will say 'deliver me' instead of
'us.'"

"Hasty speeches often lead to thoughtful acts. I will be very glad if the
missing shoe-laces make my daughter a little more thoughtful about things
of greater moment. Do not look so shocked, Cora; it did not _sound_ well, I
know, but she did not mean it irreverently, I'm sure. I remember when I was
a child at home we all had to learn the fifty-first Psalm as a Lenten
lesson, and once my little brother came through the rooms, singing it to
the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast
between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else
could have done, for I did not learn very readily. Of course, dear, I do
not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so
the better, I think," and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room,
laying her hand lovingly on Elsie's head as she passed her.

More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined,
then with Dexie's assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were
picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order.

Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain
the difficulty about Dexie.

"What! Not whistle or go near us!" he cried. "Why, she'll have to!
Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our 'warbler.'
Those handbills were the greatest success. Not whistle, indeed, when the
crowd will be there on purpose to hear her. Why, mother, she is the chief
att