"Then little Cristelle sat up and smiled,
And said, 'Who put these flowers in my hand?'
And rubbed her eyes--poor innocent child--
Not being able to understand.

"But soon she heard the big bell of the church
Give the hour; which made her say,
'Ah! I have slept and dreamt in this porch.
It is a very drowsy day!'"

"O," said Nettie, drawing a long, deep breath, "I think, Allan, that it's
the most beautiful story I ever heard. Do you know who wrote it?"

"No," said Allan. "I used to think it was auntie's own; but I asked her
once, and she said, 'O, no, indeed!' and that she did not know who wrote
it, but thought it was a translation from the German."

"Adele would have liked that so much!" said Nettie thoughtfully, "and she
would have been just like little Cristelle, too."

"Yes," said Allan, "I think she would; and that would have been because
both of them were trying to please the Lord. Don't you see, Nettie?"

"But after all, Allan, it is not a true story."

"It's an allegory," said Allan. "It means that if we do every little
simple kindness for the sake of helping others and pleasing the Lord, that
we shall be children of the Lord, and live in heaven with him."

"Then, Allan, you are one of the 'children of the Lord;' for you do kind,
generous things all the time, and--"

"No, no, Nettie," said Allan, hastily interrupting her. "I am very
selfish, and I have to try very hard, and pray to the Lord Jesus to help
me to be good."

"But you _do_ give up for the sake of others, you know; now this
afternoon--"

"I am having a delightful time, and enjoying myself hugely," said Allan,
interrupting her again, and laughing merrily. "I'll go and get my
checker-board, and we'll have a game."

Thus, thanks to the kind-hearted Allan, the afternoon wore pleasantly
away, and when Mrs. Hyde and Eric returned, Allan and Nettie were both
very happy, and in the midst of an exciting game. Mrs. Hyde had slept off
her headache, and was giving orders for tea on the balcony, to the
children's intense satisfaction.

CHAPTER V.

"SEEING THE ELEPHANT."

"'You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear,'" sang
Nettie, as she leaned over the balcony railing, gazing out upon the lovely
lake and island before them; for Mr. Hyde had explained that, as his time
was exceedingly limited, he could allow them only three days to explore