overness, or drives
with her mamma, in being obliged to wear fine clothes, to learn music
and dancing, "and other tiresome things," and never being free to run
wild on the hills and heaths, wade in the ponds, and plash in the
burns, like the little MacWillies.

Her mother tried to show her that, as her station was different from
theirs, her education and habits should be different, and that she had
a great deal to be thankful for, and might be very happy, if she would.

"Well, I think I ought at least to have a little brother to play with
me. I think God might have given me _that_, and kept back some of the
other things."

At this little burst of petulance, Lady Blantyre sighed and was silent
for some moments. Then she said: "Would my little daughter like to try
living at the cottage of the MacWillies for a day or two, just like one
of their own?"

"O yes, mamma, and play with Lilly and Hughie?"

"With Hughie and the other children. I must have Lilly with me at the
Castle, to make up for the loss of my little Bertha."

"O!" said Bertha, looking a little disappointed; then she added,
eagerly, "But, mamma, may I indeed do just like them?--go without a
bonnet, take off my shoes and stockings, and wade in the burn, and
patter in the nice soft clay?"

"Yes, if Lilly will consent to take your place, and play the little
lady at the Castle."

In the afternoon Lady Blantyre sent for Mrs. MacWillie, and between
them they arranged that their little daughters should change places on
the morrow; and that night both Bertha and Lilly went to bed with their
hearts full of happy anticipations, and each pitying the other.

Early in the morning, Lilly was brought to the Castle, and Bertha
conveyed to the cottage. Lilly wanted to take with her her pet kitten,
but was told that poor little Winkle would be rather too vulgar a
visitor for Lady Blantyre's drawing-room. Bertha proposed to take her
pretty King Charles spaniel, but was told that the gamekeeper's rough
mastiffs and terriers would make nothing of taking him by the neck and
shaking the life out of him. So she concluded to leave Frivole behind.

When she reached the cottage, the little MacWillies came around her,
full of wonder and shy admiration. They said nothing to her, but they
whispered among themselves, and their eyes looked very big and watched
her constantly.

"Come here, Sandy and Effie!" she said to a little boy and girl, who
stood with their hands behi