thly things.

Bessie was still diligently working at her "task," when she saw Nancy
Parker running up across the fields.

"Oh, Bessie," she said breathlessly, "get ready and come right away.
My cousins have come to spend the day, and we're going boating up the
river, and then home to supper. The rest are all waiting in the boat
down there, and I ran up to get you. So be quick!"

Bessie hesitated. If she went with Nancy, a considerable portion of
the work she had set herself to do would be left undone. Besides, her
mother had gone to Ashleigh, leaving her in charge; and Bessie was not
at all sure that, had she been at home, she would approve of her
joining the party.

To be sure, she could not be absolutely certain of her mother's
disapproval, and she could easily run down for Sam to come and stay
with the children. At the worst, she did not think her mother would be
much displeased; and the thought of the pleasant row, and the merry
party, and all the "fun" they would have, offered no small temptation.

"Quick, Bessie!" Nancy urged, impatient of her delay.

"I don't think I can go, Nancy. Mother's out, and I've a lot of sewing
to do."

"Bother the sewing! Your mother wouldn't mind, I'm sure. Mine lets me
do exactly as I like. Come and get ready;" and she pulled Bessie from
her seat, and drew her, half-resisting, towards the house.

They went up-stairs together, Bessie feeling far from satisfied with
herself for yielding where conscience told her she ought not to yield.

"My!" said Nancy, whose quick eyes had been glancing round the room,
"what a grand ticket you've got hanging up there! Where did you get
it?"

Bessie's eye turned to her motto, and she stood for a minute looking
at it in silence. Then, instead of replying to the question, she said,
"Nancy, I cannot go; it wouldn't be right."

"Well, that's a nice way to treat me!" said Nancy angrily. "After my
waiting so long, too. Why, don't you know your own mind? Come, you
can't change now; I'm not going to be cheated, after all my trouble."

"I'm very sorry, Nancy; but I oughtn't to have said I would go at all.
Don't wait any longer. But I'll go down to the boat with you."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself; I can do without your company." And off
she ran, before Bessie could say any more.

Bessie felt sorry at having vexed Nancy, and thought a little
wistfully of the afternoon's pleasure that she might have had. But she
felt satisfied that she had done ri