," she said. "My uncle sent me this shell, and
a letter in which he said, 'If I placed it against my ear I should hear
the whisper of the sea;' and he also said, he would soon come to us, and
bring me a great many pretty things; and mamma said, when we heard the
whisper of the shell, we would call it uncle Henry's promise. And so
it became very precious to me, and I loved its sound better than sweet
music."

* * * * *

[Illustration: Robert and John.]

Robert and John.

One fine May morning, Robert and John were told by their mamma to go to
school. So they put on their caps, and having kissed their mamma, were
soon on their way. Now, first they had to pass through a pleasant lane,
with tall elm trees on one side, and a hawthorn hedge on the other; then
across two fields; then through a churchyard, and then up a little
grove, at the end of which was the school-house. But they had not gone
more than half the way down the lane, when John began to loiter behind,
to gather wild flowers, and to pick up smooth little pebbles which had
been washed clean by the rain, while Robert walked on reading his book.
At last, John, calling after his brother, said, "I do not see what is
the use of going to school this fine morning; let us play truant."

"No," replied Robert; "I will not take pleasure, for which I know I must
suffer in after hours."

"Nonsense about that," said John; "I will enjoy myself while I can."

"And so will I," replied Robert; "and I shall best enjoy myself by
keeping a good conscience, and so I will go to school."

"Very well, Robert, then tell the master that I am ill and cannot come,"
said John.

"I shall do no such thing, John," replied Robert; "I shall simply tell
the truth, if I am asked why you are not with me."

"Then I say you are very unkind, Robert," said John.

"You will not go with me, then?" asked Robert, with a tear in his sweet
blue eye.

"I shall go up into this tree," said John; "and so good morning to you."

Poor Robert gave one long look at his brother, heaved a deep sigh, and
went on his way. And naughty John sat in the tree and watched him, after
he had crossed the stile, walk along the smooth broad pathway that led
through the field, then enter the church-yard, and stoop to read a verse
on a tomb-stone; then take out his kerchief, wipe a tear from his eye,
look upward to the cloudless heaven, and then he was gone. And John sat
still in t