lessons as a trouble, and were continually begging to be allowed to
leave off this or that study. And she was still more surprised and
shocked to find how many of the exercises were merely copied from old
books, with perhaps a few slight mistakes inserted to prevent suspicion.
On more than one occasion, Ruth gave offence by refusing to lend her
books for this purpose, or to avail herself of proffered assistance; but
she persevered steadily, and declared that she would rather make a few
mistakes than evade a difficulty which she could not surmount, as she
would be sure to meet it again.

Miss Elgin was not long in perceiving that Ruth was a conscientious
girl, anxious to learn, and in many little ways she contrived to help
and encourage her.

As the weather grew colder and winter advanced, the old home-life at the
farm seemed very far away, and somehow the home letters were not so full
of interest as they had once been. How trivial and childish it seemed to
read about the new kittens, the chickens, the nuts in the woods, and the
apples in the orchard, and the many little details with which the
children's letters were filled, when one was studying chemistry and
reading Milton and Shakespeare. Her mother's letters were always
welcome, but they were very rare.

The comfort and luxury of her new home were beginning to make a visible
alteration in her. Already she looked and felt quite a different person
from the little Ruth Arnold who sometimes milked the cows, or helped
with the house-work when the servants were busy. Her brown curls had
long since given place to a long plait like Julia's, her clothes were of
richer materials and made in a more fashionable style, and she had what
seemed at first an abundant supply of pocket-money. The only day on
which she really longed to be back at Cressleigh was Sunday. It had
always been such a happy day at the farm, the only rest day of the busy
father and mother, and always spent with the children. There were of
course certain duties which could not be neglected, but these were
quickly done, and then the whole family went together to the house of
God. In the afternoon the children all went to Sunday-school, where Will
was promoted to the post of teacher, and Mr. and Mrs. Arnold had a quiet
hour together with no one but the baby to disturb them. There was rarely
any service in the evening, but it was a pleasant time for the children,
who in fine summer weather sat on the lawn and s