ows.

"Dear Sister,

"I am very glad my last present met with your approbation. I
endeavoured to find who brought it into the school, as soon
as I had read your letter. It appears to be young Eaton: I
believe you know him. I bought it of him, and after several
escapes from losing it, I resolved to send it you, which
succeeded just as I could have wished. Present my duty to my
papa and mamma, and I remain, dear sister,

"Your's, affectionately,

"Benjamin Bentley."

As soon as Louisa had received this letter, she invited Miss
Huntley; and I could clearly hear the following dialogue.

_Miss Bentley._ Well! I wrote to my brother, to enquire about
the squirrel, and here is his answer: read it.

_Miss Huntley._ (having read it.) My dear Louisa I am shocked. I
did not think William Eaton could have been guilty of an action
so mean. You know I told you, when I was here last, he opened the
cage and said the squirrel had jumped out of the window. Now he
went to school the next day, therefore he must have taken it. I
always thought he loved a little mischief, but had not an idea
he could do such a thing as this.

_Miss Bentley._ And very likely all this was for the gain of
a couple of shillings, or some such trifle. But, however, the
squirrel is your's, Miss Huntley, so I beg you will accept of it.

_Miss Huntley._ I think, Miss Bentley, I had better not take it,
as it will cause questions which may discover young Eaton's
guilt, and I should not wish to take away his character. I think
the best way will be to write him a letter; and tell him how sorry
I am at finding how I lost my squirrel, but that, as I know who
has it, I shall think no more of it.

_Miss Bentley._ My dear Miss Huntley, you will act nobly; and much
kinder, I am sure, than he deserves. Suppose you write it now,
here is every thing necessary.

Miss Huntley then wrote the letter, and when she had finished, she
read it aloud.

"Sir,

"When you favoured us with your company, the night before you
went to school, had any body told me you had the least thought
of doing what I have lately found you did, I should have
thought it an impossibility. Believe me, the loss of the
squirrel does not grieve me half so much as the manner in
which I have lately heard I lost it. Miss Bentley, sister to
one of your schoolfellows, has it, and would freely give it
me; and as that is all I wished to know, (as I was afraid it
m