said,
and after school there was much talking among the scholars as to the
amount to be given, and how to obtain it. The following Sunday was
appointed to receive the collection, and all seemed animated with a
generous feeling, and anxious to do what they could.

"I have a bright new penny," cried little Patty Green, who was scarcely
six years old. "I didn't like to spend it, because it was so pretty,
but I will send it to the little heathen children to buy Bibles with!"

"And I," added James Blair, "have a tenpence that Mr. Jones gave me for
holding his horse; I was saving it to buy a knife, but I can wait a
while for that; uncle has promised me one next Christmas."

"You may add my sixpence to it, brother," said his sister Lucy. "I did
want a pair of woolen gloves, but it is long until winter, and I do not
need them now."

"Good!" exclaimed merry, good-natured Simon Bounce. "Ten and six are
sixteen, and Patty's bright penny makes seventeen; and let me see, I've
got fivepence, and John Blake offered me three cents for my ball, that
will make two shillings exactly, quite a good beginning. Why what a
treasure there will be if we all put in our savings at this rate!"

Thus talking, the children strolled away in groups, and Charlotte and
Annie walked slowly toward their homes. Annie looked thoughtful, and
Charlotte spoke first.

"I wish," said she, "that father would give me sixpence; but I know he
wont, for he never goes to church, and cares nothing about the heathen,
and as for mother, she would call me a simpleton if I was to ask her. I
am determined I wont go to school next Sunday if I can't take something,
it looks so mean; I will say I am sick and cannot go."

"Oh, Charlotte!" said Annie, "that would be a great deal worse than not
giving anything, for it would not only be a falsehood, but you would
tempt God to make you sick. I know you do not mean what you say."

"You always take everything so seriously," replied the other, laughing
and looking a little ashamed. "But what are you going to do, Annie? Your
mother cannot give you anything; but I am sure she would if she had it,
she is so kind, and never scolds. I wish mother was so always."

"I have been thinking," returned Annie, "that if I take the two hours
mother gives me to play in the garden, and card wool for her, as she has
more than she can do this week, perhaps she will give me two or three
pennies. I wish I could earn more, but I will do what I can.