ownstairs this evening to any one, not even to each
other, and we mustn't think about it, or we shall fancy things. Cousin
Crayshaw is our guardian, and he wants to be our good friend. And he
is right in saying that we must be very wise and very careful. And we
must be fair, Betty, quite fair to him and Godfrey both, and teach
Godfrey to respect him because it is his duty, and not excuse him when
he is naughty like he was to-night. You will do that, won't you, dear?'

'If you'll help me, Angel,' said Betty, clinging to her.

'God help us both,' whispered Angel under her breath.

[Illustration: Chapter II tailpiece]

[Illustration: Chapter III headpiece]

CHAPTER III

THE FIRST DAY

We shall be what you will make us;
Make us wise, and make us good!
Make us strong for time of trial,
Teach us temperance, self-denial,
Patience, kindness, fortitude!'--MARY HOWITT.

It was, perhaps, just as well that Mr. Crayshaw had to start for London
next morning before Godfrey was awake, so that he did not see his young
cousin again. He had a talk with Angel, and gave her some money for
the housekeeping expenses of the next fortnight, and was a good deal
surprised to find how sensible and business-like she could be.

'Cousin Crayshaw really sees how you are beginning to grow up, Angel,'
said Betty admiringly, as they came back up the garden path together
after seeing their cousin off. 'I wish he talked to me like that.
Angel dear, what a lot of money! I don't think that is economy, do
you? I should think we might put by a good deal of it for Godfrey to
use by-and-bye. Do let's see if we can't save out of it.'

But Angel thought not. She felt she hardly knew enough yet about
housekeeping to cut the expenses down lower than her guardian thought
fit.

'I must go and talk to Penny,' she said, 'and will you wash the
breakfast china and listen for Godfrey moving?'

The breakfast china was a beautiful old set which had been a wedding
present to the girls' grandmother, and which Miss Crayshaw in her
lifetime had always washed herself, so Betty felt important as she tied
on an apron and fetched her hot water.

Angel finished her housekeeping talk and went upstairs to see if
Godfrey were still asleep. She opened the bedroom door softly lest she
should wake him, but to her surprise he was up and dressed, and
kneeling by the bed saying his prayers. He had been taught that at any
rate, Ang