of weariness in her manner,
as she leaned for a moment against a branch, and then stooped to let the
water flow over a spray of crimson maple that she held in her hand.

"I might try it, anyway," she repeated, as she left the place.

In some spring or autumn long ago, the swollen waters of the brook had
quite washed away the soil from between the roots of the birch-tree; and
the roots themselves, and the hollow place which the waters had made,
were covered with grass and soft moss now. In this pretty natural seat,
after an eager, half-frightened glance around, the little girl placed
herself, kneeling. She closed her eyes, and folded her hands with a
reverent gesture; but a doubtful, uneasy look passed over her face as
she let her head droop, and murmured:

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come"--
and so on to the end.

Then her head was raised; but the doubtful look had not passed away.

"That's no' just what I'm needing," she continued. "I have my daily
bread. I'm no' sure about the other things; and I canna mind another
prayer. I would make one, if I knew the way. I need so many things!"

There was a pause, and then she said, softly:

"O Lord, dinna let Aunt Elsie be vexed with me for biding here so long.
I'm sure I need that. And, O Lord, mind Effie to bring home the book
she promised me. Oh, there are so many things that I need! and I'm no'
sure that I'm asking right. But the Bible says, `Whatsoever ye ask in
My name, believing, ye shall receive.'"

She slipped from her kneeling posture, and leaned, with her eyes still
closed, against the shining bark of the birch-tree. She lay quiet for
some time, as if she were thinking of many things; then, kneeling again,
with her head bowed down on her clasped hands, she said:

"O Lord, make me a good child, and take me to heaven when I die, for
Jesus' sake!"

Then she opened her eyes, and rose up with a sigh.

"Oh, how long the shadows have grown! I should have been at home a long
while ago. But now I'll see if Aunt Elsie's no' vexed. If she doesna
scold me, I'll ken that there is some use in praying. And if Effie
brings me a book, such a book as I like, I shall be sure, _sure_. Then
I shall know that God hears people when they pray; and that will be
something."

And, really, the tired, pale little creature looked as though she needed
something to make her look more cheerfully on a world which generally
seems so hap