out to
gather some. I find it is so much better to get my flowers before the
sun is too hot. Now, you can help me."

They walked slowly along the hedge of sweet-peas together, picking them
as they went.

"What a beautiful garden yours is, Aunt Sarah," cried Anna.

Mrs Forrest looked pleased.

"There are many larger ones about here," she said, "but I certainly
think my flowers do me credit. I attend to them a great deal myself,
but, of course, I cannot give them as much time as I should like. Now
you are come, we shall be busier than ever, because we must give some
time every day to your studies."

"Miss Milverton said she would write to you about the lessons I have
been doing, aunt," said Anna.

"I have arranged," continued Aunt Sarah, "to read with you for an hour
every morning; it is difficult to squeeze it in, but I have managed it.
And then I am hoping that you will join in some lessons with the
Palmers--girls of your own age, who live near. If their governess will
allow you to learn French and German with them, it would be a good plan,
and would give you companions besides.--By the way, Anna, Miss Milverton
says in her letter that you don't make any progress in your music. How
is that?"

"I don't care very much for music," said Anna. "I would much rather not
go on with it, unless you want me to."

She thought that her aunt looked rather relieved, as she remarked that
it was useless for people who were not musical to waste their time in
learning to play, and that she should not make a point of music-lessons
at present.

"Now I must cut some roses," added Mrs Forrest, as she put the glowing
bunches of sweet-peas into her basket. "Come this way."

Anna followed to a little nursery of standard rose-trees near the
foot-bridge.

"What are those chimneys I can just see straight over the fields?" she
asked her aunt.

"Leas Farm," she replied. "It belongs to Mr Oswald, a very respectable
farmer, who owns a good deal of land round here. We have our milk and
butter from him. Your uncle used to keep his own cows, but he found
them a trouble, and Mrs Oswald is an excellent dairy woman."

Here was an opportunity for Anna's explanation. The words were on her
lips, when they were interrupted by the loud sound of a bell from the
house.

"The breakfast bell!" said Mrs Forrest, abruptly turning away from her
roses, and beginning to hasten towards the house, without pausing a
moment. "I hope you will