very body, nearly all the misery and sorrow which make the world
wretched, would be prevented; and every heart would be cheered by the
sunlight of love and sympathy."

"Yes, but you know, aunt, that every body is not rich enough to give
gold pieces to the poor, as you are."

"That is true, Minnie; but all can speak _golden_ words, and look with
friendly smiles upon the poor and sad."

"_Golden_ words, aunt! What are _golden_ words?" asked Minnie, gazing
with surprise into her aunt's face.

"_Kind_ words are _golden_ words, Minnie, because they are precious to
the heart. They are often worth more than gold to the unfortunate."

This Minnie could not deny. Indeed, it pleased her very much to think
that she could speak golden words, if she could not give gold pieces.

Having finished their walk, aunt Amy and her delighted little niece
returned home. After tea, they worked again upon Kate's dress, and it
was decided that they should take it, the next day, with some other
things, to Mrs. Button's cottage.

So the next day, early in the afternoon, they started for the old stone
quarry, to visit Mrs. Button and her daughter Kate. At Minnie's request,
Arthur Ellerslie went with them to carry the bundle, which was quite a
large one. Aunt Amy was very much pleased with Arthur. As they walked,
he told her all about his history, and she gave him much good advice.

Presently they reached the cottage. There was quite a change in its
looks since aunt Amy's last visit, a few days before. The floor had been
nicely cleaned, the shingles which formerly covered the broken windows
had been taken away, and clean paper pasted over the broken places
instead. The bed in the corner was "made up." The pine stools were set
along the sides of the cottage; and it was quite plain that Mrs. Button
had been trying to make her poverty appear as respectable as possible.
In her person, too, she was greatly improved. Her face was now clean,
her hair neatly combed, her gown mended, and she wore a hopeful look,
which wonderfully changed her appearance. Her manners, also, were more
civil. When her guests entered, she spoke to them with respect, and
invited them to be seated. Her only chair she offered to aunt Amy. As to
Kate, she seemed to have caught her mother's spirit, and looked as well
as rags and bad habits would allow her to do.

The gifts brought by aunt Amy were produced, and many kind words of
advice offered by that good lady. Kate seemed h