en, the place where we all hope to
meet, when we have done with this world, and its cares."

"Ah, ma'am, I am not satisfied even with knowing this, though it is all
that a servant should know."

"I do not understand you, Catherine. Tell me why you wish to gain other
knowledge?"

"Because, ma'am, I am most wishful to be useful to my parents. They are
poor, and have a large family to bring up. If I could but open a little
school in our village, what a blessing should I be to them!"

"Well, Catherine," said Miss Arden, after considering a little, "I will
do what I can for you--I mean if Miss Damer approves; for I dare not
trust to my own judgment. Meet me in the school-room early to-morrow
morning, and I well tell you how it is to be."

When the friends met in the play-ground, they talked the subject over.

"There cannot, I think, be any thing wrong in doing good to a
fellow-creature," said Miss Damer, "therefore I think we may venture;
but we must rise an hour earlier than usual."

Catherine was delighted when she heard the result of their conference;
and, with many expressions of thankfulness, promised to leave a lamp at
their door.

The young ladies began the employment of teaching with alacrity. They
endeavoured to ground Catherine in those things that would be useful in
a village school. But geography her mind was bent upon, so Miss Arden
presented to her a book; likewise several little works, which she
thought would be useful.

One morning, however, they were surprised in the midst of their lessons.
"Begin that line again," said Miss Arden. Elizabeth had walked gently
into the room, and now stood by the table where the two young ladies
were seated, and Catherine standing. When they beheld her, they all
started, and looked aghast. "You are very early at your tasks, young
ladies! But I did not know that we had a new pupil. Pray when did she
arrive?"

"I beg you a thousand pardons, ma'am, for leading the young ladies to do
wrong! It was all my fault," said Catherine.

Miss Arden related the matter plainly as it was.

"I commend Catherine," said Elizabeth, "for her wish to serve her
parents; nor am I offended with you, young ladies, for wishing to serve
her. But you must beware that we are not to do a wrong thing, even with
the very best motives. There is always something mean in acting
clandestinely. Why could you not have been candid, and told me her
wish? You must not meet here again. Catherine, when yo