res, in which she tried to amuse him by telling him
stories about them, for she found that he was unable to read the
descriptions which were placed below them, or on the opposite pages.

At last she saw that he had fallen asleep in the arm-chair on which he
was seated, so she put a cushion under his head that he might rest more
comfortably, and finding that he was not likely to awake, she stole out
that she might gather some more flowers instead of those which had been
scattered on the ground when Norman broke the vase, and which he had
trampled on while he was angrily stamping about on the gravel walk.

She watched for an opportunity while her papa was out of his room, and
placed the fresh bouquet on his mantelpiece.

The day passed away without any other adventure, and as Norman having
slept but little on board the steamer was very tired, Mrs Vallery
carried him up to bed at an early hour.

"Now, my dear child, kneel down and say your prayers," she said when she
had undressed him.

"No, I won't!" answered Norman, "I am too tired, I want to go to sleep."

His mamma knew that it would be useless to argue with him, so with a
sigh she placed him in his bed, and kneeling down, prayed that God would
change him, for her love did not prevent her from seeing that his
present heart was hard and bad, and that none of the qualities she
desired him to possess could spring out of it.

She sat by his bedside till he was asleep, and then went back to Mrs
Leslie.

Sweet Fanny felt sadly hurt and disappointed at the behaviour of her
young brother, whom she had naturally expected to find as loving, and
gentle, and ready to be pleased as she was. She consoled herself,
however, with the thought that he was tired and out of sorts after his
long journey, and hoped that the next day he would become more amiable
and more like what she had fancied him to be.

Sleep soon visited her eyelids and as she was a brisk active little
girl, she was awake betimes.

She had said her prayers and read a chapter in the Bible, which she did
every morning to herself, and was waiting for Susan to assist her in
putting on her frock when her mamma came into her room.

"My dear Fanny, I shall be so much obliged to you if you will assist
Norman to dress; I am afraid that I shall be late for breakfast if I
attempt to do so, as he is apt to dawdle over the business when I go to
him," said Mrs Vallery, giving her a kiss and admiring her fresh and
bloomi