The next day was Sunday. Bella was old enough to go to church, and she
behaved very well.

Just before they went in, her father said: "Bella, there will be a
collection taken up to-day, and here is a nice new penny for you to put
in the plate."

"What plate, papa?"

"Why, the plate for the money that is given to the poor. You will see
six of them on the table just under the pulpit."

Bella had never put any money in the plate before, and she was quite
pleased.

When they were seated in their pew in the middle aisle, a little bit of
a boy wanted to come in, because his papa's pew was quite crowded. His
name was Eddie; and he knew Bella very well. So in he came, and the two
children sat next the door.

Presently, Bella whispered: "Look, Eddie, look at my new penny. I am
going to put it in the plate for the poor peoples."

"Why, I've got a penny, too, most as bright as yours; but where is the
plate?"

They looked all over the church, and at last spied the plates on the
table.

"When will we put it in?" said Bella.

"Why, now; let's go now," said Eddie.

"Why, of course," said Bella.

Then, before her father could stop her, she opened the pew door, and
stepped out with Eddie, and hand in hand the two little children marched
gravely up the aisle, to the table under the pulpit; and standing on
tiptoe, put their bright pennies into the plate; and then hand in hand
gravely marched back.[A]

They did not know that they were doing what would make everybody look at
them in astonishment. No, indeed! they were in a hurry to help the poor
people; and I think everybody in the church understood it, and looked
with loving eyes upon the little ones.

The next day Bella told her papa what to say, and he wrote her mother
this letter:

"DEAR, DARLING MAMMA:

"Yesterday I gave the poor peoples a penny in church. So did Eddie. We
went together and put it in the plate. Aren't you glad, the poor peoples
have so much money? I am.

"Sister Edith showed me such a 'lightful play. She did put me on the
end of the sofa, and I go backward and forward, backward and forward,
and she sings:

'Grandmamma's sick,
And is going to die,
And nothing will cure her
But a TURN-over pie;'

and then I go tumbledy over backward on the sofa so nice! Don't you wish
you could play it?

"Georgia told the story the wrong way; it was Blue Beard's _wife_, not
his sister. Of course it was! Sh