near you, as Sunday comes round; and all your lives you will be thankful that you have never made a break in the habit of your childhood, except when sickness or duty kept you from God's house.”

"Father," said Alick, rising to say goodnight, "you have given us a little Easter sermon that the parish will not hear; but I'm glad to have had it. We come back from school like the silver that is stored away at a bankers, and need a jolly good rubbing up." "That's very good!" said Bob. "I always said you were a good fellow; but don't make me change my opinion now by taking the longest bit of candle!"

"Quite enough to see you to bed, that bit, Bob!" pops in Miss Prissy; read in bed?"

you surely don't

"Now, Aunt Prissy, why will you be so pressing in inquiring into my private habits?" asked Bob, provokingly smiling.

But, Bob dear, you don't, do you?" coaxed

mamma.

"Don't think of it, mother-'A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.' I don't read in bed."

"Very well, then, good-night, and shut the door; it is really very cold for Easter time," said Mrs. Clayton, shivering.

"Now for your arrowroot, Margaret," said Miss Prissy, bustling off to the kitchen as active as ever.

"I fear heavy cares will fall on young shoulders, until I am more independent," sighed the mother.

"Never mind, mother, darling!" whispered Jessie, as she knelt beside her mother to say good-night; "I am going to try very hard to be a help to you!"

"As thy day, so shall thy strength be!"" responded the gentle voice reverently.

CHAPTER VIII.

A MONTH later a note was sent down one bright morning to ask if Jessie could spend the day at the Hall. It was a Saturday, and Violet had a whole holiday always on that day; much pleasure would be sure to follow the invitation, but there was a doubt in Jessie's mind as to whether she ought to accept it. Her mother had in many ways, which only a mother fully understands, over-exerted herself, and was by no means so strong as when Miss Priscilla was staying with her.

Full of doubts, Jessie was walking slowly up stairs, carrying the open note in her hand, when she met her mother on the stairs.

Well, dear," inquired the gentle voice, "what have you there?"

"It is an invitation to the Hall, mamma; I was just coming up to you, for-I think-I had better not go, mamma.” And as Jessie lifted

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her expressive face, the mother saw very plainly how great a disappointment it would be to her to stay at home; and unwilling, as most mothers are, to mar an innocent pleasure, she said,

Come to the dining-room, dear; I do not think there is any need for you to stay at home."

In the dining-room Mrs. Clayton sat down, and placed beside her a number of socks and stockings to mend. Jessie looked with selfreproach at this bundle, for she ought to have lessened it during the week.

"Let me see, dear, dinner is ordered, and there are only Eddie and Milly to be with me, as your father will not be home until the evening. No, you need not give up your visit; and to-day, perhaps, Miss Mordaunt may decide about the German lessons she so kindly said you might share with Violet."

And so an answer was sent that Jessie would come; and then she ran from room to room and brought all that she thought her mother would require, after which she dressed herself, and called Milly and Eddie to sit in the diningroom with their mother; a permission of which

they availed themselves with much eagerness and delight.

Then with a kiss, and a loving backward look at the gentle mother, Jessie ran out through the garden-gate, and up by the beautiful pleasure-grounds to the Hall.

"I have been watching for you, Jessie," was Violet's greeting; "for we are actually going to drive five miles, to the town, after lunch, and so Miss Mordaunt ordered it earlier.

Jessie's face expressed her pleasure at this; Cray was such a quiet little place, a visit to the bustling town of Southsea, and the excitement of going into some attractive shops, was a great treat. A sudden look of disappointment followed quickly, however, as Jessie exclaimed :

"What a pity I have not brought a pattern of the crewels mamma wanted to match!"

Miss Mordaunt heard the words, and turning towards the young girls, kindly offered to send a messenger to the Vicarage, who could bring back the patterns before the carriage was ready.

Violet's governess was a genial, homelylooking German lady, Fraulein Klein. She