girl who went there received, formed a recommendation for each young student in after life. Hester and Annie had gone through severe storms in these early days. Their friendship had been cemented

as great a favourite as of old, and as love and kindness had developed all the best side of her character, she was no longer the tomboy of the school, nor the one who was invariably the ringleader when mischief was afloat. She was still impulsive, however-eager, impatient-for such a nat

e first evening of Annie's visit to the Grange. "I d

ie. "She is a dear, jolly litt

replied Hester. "You must have noticed

now, Het, that I had the unbounded cheek to

in a blue dressing-gown, and her dark hair, in a mas

o her lips and glancing in the direction of Nan's small bed. "The l

ster. "If she were awake, she wou

I really said to your f

I hope you did not shock him, for h

he is a delightful host; but, oh,

nn

lushed crimson, her eyes

he bed and ran to

ruth, I may surely tell you. I know you are as good as an angel

said Hester, in

was dark, but innumerable stars could be seen in the deep, unfathomable vault of the

"I am sorry, very sorry; the fact is, I love you

ome things I cannot and will not talk about even to you.

r to it, saw that she had every comfort, and wished her good-night. She then

ol, and when Annie came to visit me, would be quite the happiest day of my life, but it would never do to make my father's home uncomfort

I was young things used to be very different. Girls had to be in bed by ten o'clock sharp to keep away the wri

est and most jog-trot girl in the world as a rule. Of c

ed about her hair, Miss Hetty. I don't believe it's pointed often eno

ppy at school. Nurse, I've just come here for a moment to ask you to be very careful what you say to Nan about my father. You se

anything in the world for you, Miss Hetty; and everything in apple-pie order, and the meals served regular and beautiful, and inside and out perfect o

ge well?" asked the girl, a

iful. Your own mother, if she

. "Well, nurse, you will be very careful what you say to Nan. The object

No mortal can do more than their best, and

Nurse stood and watched the pretty young

Hester will follow in her footsteps if I don't look after her. Sometimes I wish the master would marry again, and that he'd get a tartar of a wife. He might think of another wife if things were a bit uncomfortable here, but that they never will be while Miss Hetty is at the helm. She's a born manager, bless her, with her gentle ways and her firm words and her pretty little dignity. Miss Nan's business in life, it s

s, nurse laid her head on her p

and Nan met in high spirits in the breakfast-room. The post

d Nan, going up and examining

ined a few brief words. She read them with a s

herefore, take the opportunity of going from home for a few days. I will send you a lin

nd wish Miss Forest good-bye for me. By the way, she is interested in Australia, s

uddenly clapped her hands, shouted "hurrah" at the top of her voice, and, run

nvented that proverb! I ask you, Annie, what would life be without little girls and their chatter? The other proverb is nearly as objectionable. This is it: 'Make a page of your own age.' According to dad, that only applies to little girls, and it means that they must always be fagging round, hunting for slippers and spectacles and newsp

" said Annie, for Hester had p

ver the operation of eating, Hester looking a little pale and a little thoughtful, Annie in a state of suppre