ime they reached the house Fanny had
dried her tears, and hers exhibited the sweet gentle temper which
animated her.

As they got near the house they saw Mrs Leslie, who had come out into
the garden. Fanny ran forward to meet her, and taking her hand said--

"Dear granny it is all over, Norman is very sorry, so when papa comes
this evening, I hope that he may not hear about my poor birdie, and that
we shall both look smiling and happy."

"I hope so, my dear, and I am very sure that neither your mamma nor Mrs
Maclean will tell him of what has occurred."

"Oh, I shall be so much obliged to them," answered Fanny, "it is what I
have been dreading more than anything else, for I never saw Norman look
so grieved for anything he has done."

"That is a great step in the right direction, but he has still much to
learn, and many faults to correct, and those faults he will not correct
unless his heart is changed," answered Mrs Leslie.

"O dear granny, that is what I have been praying it may be," said Fanny,
"and you have often told me that God hears prayers even of weak little
girls like me."

"Yes, indeed, He does, and I trust that your prayers and mine, and your
mamma's, will be answered in His good time. God accomplishes His ends
as He judges best; and we must not despair, even if we do not see Norman
behave as well as we could wish all at once."

The subject of this conversation had been standing at some distance,
with his head cast down, unwilling to approach his grandmamma, for he
was afraid that he might receive another scolding, and was beginning to
harden his heart to resist it.

"Come here, my dear Norman," said Mrs Leslie. "You know how I love
you, for you are my only little grandson, and how anxious I am that you
should be good and happy, and prosper in this world. This makes me very
glad to hear what Fanny has been telling me, my dear child. We will all
pray, that you will be enabled to keep to your good resolutions, but you
must also pray for yourself. Then remember, my dear child, that God's
eye is upon you, that nothing you can think, or say, or do, is unknown
to Him, that He is aware of every thought which enters your mind, that
He sees even the most trifling thing you do, and hears every word you
utter. He wishes you to be happy, and if you try to obey Him, He will
enable you to be so. He is more loving than your papa or mamma, or your
sister, or I can be."

Norman listened attentively to all h