mean. But if it was something that Melvina did she was
eager to begin.

Mr. Lyon smiled down at his little visitor as she curtsied in the
doorway. He hoped his own little daughter might return with eyes as
bright and cheeks as glowing.

"This is where Melvina sits for her study hour," he said, pointing to a
small chair near a side window. There was a table in front of the chair,
and on the table was spread a brightly colored map.

"To-day we are to discover something of the English opinion of
Americans," began Mr. Lyon, taking up a small book. "It is always wise
to know the important affairs of the time in which we live, is it not,
Anna?" he said thoughtfully.

"Yes, sir," responded Anna seriously, sitting very straight indeed and
feeling of greater consequence than ever before.

"America's great trouble now, remember, is taxation without
representation," continued the minister; "and now listen carefully to
what an Englishman has to say of it: 'While England contends for the
right of taxing America we are giving up substance for the shadow; we
are exchanging happiness for pride. If we have no regard for America,
let us at least respect the mother country. In a dispute with America
who would we conquer? Ourselves. Everything that injures America is
injurious to Great Britain, and we commit a kind of political suicide
when we endeavor to crush them into obedience.'

"Ah! There is still wisdom in the English council; but I fear it is too
late," said Mr. Lyon, as if speaking his thoughts aloud. "And now, my
child, what is the subject of our lesson?" he questioned, looking kindly
at Anna.

"England and America," she replied promptly.

Mr. Lyon nodded. "And why does America firmly resolve not to be unjustly
taxed?" he asked.

"Because it wouldn't be right," said Anna confidently.

Mr. Lyon was evidently pleased by her direct answers.

"If an Englishman sees the injustice of his government it is small
wonder that every American, even to a little girl, can see that it is
not to be borne," said Mr. Lyon, rising and pacing up and down the
narrow room, his thoughts full of the great conflict that had already
begun between England and her American colonies.

Anna's eyes turned toward the map. There was a long yellow strip marked
"American Colonies," then, lower down, a number of red blots and circles
with "The West Indies" printed across them. Far over on the end of the
map was a queerly shaped green object marked "A