"I was thinking, when I asked my question," replied Miss Harrison," that perhaps you would like occasionally to visit one or two of my poor people. I am so apt to catch cold when the weather is damp, or if the wind is easterly, that I am often unable to look after those who most need help. If I might at such times sometimes send you in my place, it would be a great relief to my mind; and I do think, Mary," continued Miss Harrison, looking up into her face, "that in a little time you would find half-an-hour thus spent both pleasant and profitable to yourself."

"I shall be delighted if I can be any help to you," replied Mary, warmly. "Have you joined the committee?"

"No, I am sorry to say I could not venture to engage in anything which would require regular, punctual attendance. This chest delicacy of mine comes sadly in the way of my usefulness. So I told Mr Jones, that while I would gladly continue to visit among the poor, choosing my own time for doing so, I could not join his committee, as in all probability I should not be able to attend its meetings.' "Ellen said, Mr Jones quite reckoned upon your help," observed Mary; "I am sure he must regret your decision."

"I believe he does, but not more than I regret being obliged to refuse his request. I assure you I feel so much the value of engaging in systematic work, that if I did not remember Who it is who has seen it good to deny it to me, I should find it hard to submit to the privation. It is such a help to

one," continued Miss Harrison, “such a check to listlessness and trifling away time, when each day has its appointed duties which must be attended to. That kind of work has long been out of my reach, except what may be carried on in-doors."

"But would you think it advisable to have the entire day devoted to what you call systematic work?" asked Mary.

"Certainly not. But whatever portion of time we intend to employ in that way, be it much or little, we shall, I am persuaded, do but little unless we follow some system-lay down rules for ourselves, and act according to them."

"Committee rules of course must be observed," said Mary.

"Undoubtedly; no one ought to join a committee who does not intend to follow its rules, and the rules we make for our own guidance should be observed too."

"I am afraid I have never thought of making any rules for myself," Mary said, in a sad tone; "though I do try to observe those laid down by others.'

"I do not mean," rejoined Miss Harrison, "that we should regard rules made by ourselves, or by others, for our guidance, as the laws of the Medes and Persians to be observed irrespective of all circumstances: that would be running into the opposite error to that I have alluded to. What I would say is, that the knowing, when we rise in the morning, not only what we have to do, but when it

is to be done, is a great safeguard against that sad frittering away of time by which so many hours and days are lost."

"It must be so," said Mary; "and besides, rules such as you allude to would prevent our allowing one business or duty to engross our time to the neglect of others. I often do that, I know."

"Yes, you are quite right. In many ways the want of systematic design in our employments leads to evil; so, to come back to the point from which we started,—if I could, I would join Mr Jones's committee; but, nevertheless, I think you have done right in declining to join it.”

"It is a great comfort to me to hear you say so," Mary said, "and I am so much obliged to you for talking over the matter with me.”

"I hope our conversation may do us both good, making me more watchful to see what I can do, here a little and there a little, as opportunity is afforded me, to fill up corners of time; and, above all, may we both endeavour to do thoroughly whatever we undertake."

"Miss Williams often told us at school that there lay the secret of success," said Mary.

66

"It

"No doubt of it," replied Miss Harrison. is better to do one thing well than many things imperfectly. And let us never forget that it is not the quantity, but the quality of our work which God regards. The smallest service rendered from love to Him is acceptable, while that which is performed

as a task, or because it suits our taste to be so employed, has no value in His eyes."

"I think you will help me with my sick poor," Miss Harrison said, as she rose to return home. "I shall be delighted whenever you allow me," was Mary's cordial reply.

CHAPTER II.

THE following day Fanny Wright appeared again at Miss Waller's.

"Oh, Mary!" she exclaimed, as she met her on the stairs; "do come out with us. Papa is going to take us to see the Victory. She came in yesterday. Papa was riding on the Downs as she sailed into the harbour. He said she looked splendid, ploughing the waves with all her sails set-every stitch of canvas filled. I assure you his description was quite poetical! And is he not good to take us? He said you might come too; so, while Harry and Blanche are putting up their books, and Mademoiselle is sticking a clean flower into her bonnet, I ran here to tell you to meet us, as soon as you can, at the corner of Winsome Lane."

"I shall be delighted to go," replied Mary; "thank you so much for coming for me." And in less than twenty minutes, all the party met at the appointed rendezvous.

Cooming to see de Victory Miss Voods ?" said Mademoiselle. "Dat vas de name of your great man's ship, Lord I do forget de name-vid

one leg."

"No, Mademoiselle; one arm," said Harry.