LUCY'S REQUEST.

37

'I must first hear what it is, dear. If it is at all a sensible request, I shall be delighted to grant it.'

'Well, mamma, do you know Bessie can neither read nor write, though she is a whole year older than I am? Her mother is too poor to send her to school; so don't you think I might teach her? Isn't that a good plan, mamma ?'

Mrs. Mason looked at her daughter's eager face and sparkling eyes, and half wondered if she could be trusted with such a charge.

'I'm not at all sure about it, Lucy.'

'Oh, why, mamma?' asked Lucy in blank dismay. 'I never thought you would disapprove of it.'

'I don't disapprove of it, darling. I think it would be noble work to shed light into that poor child's heart; but I would have you undertake nothing you could not carry through. If you once took this mission of love in hand, it would not do to tire and weary of your work.'

'I would not tire of it, mamma-indeed I would not.'

'Remember it would not be all smooth and pleasant. You would have your difficulties to contend with in this as in everything else.'

'Mamma, I have thought of all that, and I am quite

ready to make any sacrifice for my plan.'

'When I see how earnest you are, darling, I can

offer no further objections. I was fearing that you might be dazzled by the novelty of the thing, and when that wore off, that you would grow sick and weary; but I hope, by patience and perseverance, your efforts may be crowned with success.'

'Oh, thank

you,

mamma! Then it is all settled, and

now when may I begin?'

Mrs. Mason lifted her daughter's face and kissed her. 'Go not forward in your own strength, my child. We shall talk of it afterwards.'

Lucy knew what this meant; and when she went to her room to lay past her things, she knelt there and then, and prayed for a blessing on her labours. Can't you imagine what a pleasing sight it must be for our Father in heaven, to see one of the lambs of his flock folding her hands and asking his aid and guidance in all childlike faith and simplicity? Be sure, dear children, He will not lend a careless ear to your petitions, however trifling they may seem. Learn, then, to take all your troubles to Him who careth for you; and in so doing, you will obtain relief, enjoy peace, and grow in grace. For all we need we should call upon God, and from all we fear we should flee unto God, and telling to Him all our wants, obtain a supply. His presence will free us from all our cares, raise us above all our troubles, and make us satisfied with our lot, be it what it may.

THE READY ASSENT.

39

We shall see how Lucy's project prospered, and how, triumphing over her evil passions and sinful nature, she progressed in her daily endeavours to be Christ-like.

That afternoon she felt somewhat unsettled at her

lessons, but she conquered this feeling, and tried to fix her thoughts on her present occupation; and when Miss Graham praised her for the manner in which she had accomplished a somewhat difficult exercise, she felt more than repaid for her pains by the happy consciousness that she had done her duty.

They were a little later than usual in finishing, and the clock had struck six some minutes before the books

were laid aside. Tea was ready, and Miss Graham was

invited to take her seat at the table.

Here you are, sister mine,' cried Charlie, presenting Lucy with the wished-for volume from the library; 'you'll read a while before you finish that.'

'Oh, thank you, Charlie, so much; how heavy it must have been for you to carry!'

'Not a bit; at least, if Donald didn't object, I had no right to, as he had most to do with it.'

During the meal Lucy's 'plan' was again discussed; and, to her great joy, her father gave his ready assent. 'Lucy could not be better employed than in teaching what she knows herself,' he said. 'You

may count on my help, my child, whenever you need it.'

'Thank you, father; and how often may I go?'

'As often as you can, if you are to do any good.' 'Then I shall go on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, as I go to Nannie's on the other days.'

'Oh, Lucy, that's horrid; here I'll never can have any fun on Saturdays now!' exclaimed Charlie, with very apparent disgust.

'Oh yes, we shall,' said Lucy. 'It won't take me all the day, you know, and I can have plenty play too.' 'We used to have such jolly fun on Saturdays,' remarked Charlie regretfully, and taking it for granted that all that was over for them now.

This was the first sacrifice Lucy had to make for her cherished project; and no small one it was, for those holidays were very pleasant to the brother and sister, and many a long ramble and nutting excursion they had enjoyed together. But now she would have duties to attend to, and she must of necessity deny herself this pleasure, in part at least, and she did not hesitate to do so.

Next morning, as soon as Lucy was free, she ran down to tell Bessie the news, quite expecting that young person to be as much rejoiced as herself. Mrs. Higgins received the tidings most thankfully.

'I have often and often been sore perplexed and put to, Miss, to think where I was to get schooling for her; for she's that rude and wild, it's much needed. But times has been hard with us of late, and we've never been able to save nothing for it. Bessie, I'm sure

DISAPPOINTMENT.

41

ye're greatly obliged to the young lady for taking so much notice of ye.' But Bessie was quite mute.

I thought she would have liked the idea,' said Lucy in a disappointed tone. It was hard to have her ardour damped thus, and this was a hindrance she had never dreamt of.

'To be sure, and so she does, Miss, only she's not polite enough to say so. Maybees she'll get over her shyness; but she's had many a disadvantage.'

Lucy could quite well believe this, but she began to fear that Bessie did not altogether relish the schemes that were being set on foot for her especial benefit and improvement. She felt rather puzzled what to do or say next, her reception was so very different from what she had anticipated. Lucy had come to the cottage with a feeling of something like proprietorship with regard to Bessie. They had been such good friends the day before, that she had pictured her protegée eager, or at least willing, to place herself at her disposal; and it made her feel very sad to think that 'her own little girl' was going to be so cross and naughty.

'Perhaps she doesn't like the idea of displaying her ignorance to one so much her own age,' was Lucy's next thought, a proud and foolish notion, but one quite common to us all; and she resolved to divest her of this feeling. Bessie looked up quickly whenever Lucy spoke to her, as if to read the speaker's face; but when