sent was to be seen; no parcel neatly wrapped up in
brown paper, nor anything like a work-box or a desk. But, to do them
justice, the thought of what they might receive was not then uppermost
in their mind; for their heart was full of grief at the prospect of
parting with their aunt, whom they dearly loved, and who was going so
very far away.

"Sit down beside me, dear children," said their aunt Harding, "and let
us have a little talk together, quietly by ourselves. I wish to give
you a few parting words of advice. I am sure that you will not forget
me when I am gone; and when you think of me, I hope that the good
things which I have tried to teach you will also come into your mind."

Both Louisa and Emma said, again and again, that they could never
forget her, and they promised to remember her advice.

"Your mamma will often write to me concerning you," said aunt Harding,
"and I cannot express the joy that it will afford me to hear that you
are learning to hate sin more and more, and to live like children of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I shall be glad to find that you
are improving in your studies, and I hope that every letter will bring
me an account of your progress in useful knowledge; but I shall be far
more anxious to hear of your being good and dutiful to your parents;
and, above all, I shall long to know if you seek in earnest for the
pardon of your sins, through the blood of Christ, and whether there is
any proof in your conduct that your evil hearts have been changed by
the grace of the Holy Spirit."

"If mamma sends you a good account of us," said Louisa, "please to
remember, aunt, that you promised to write to us when that was the
case. And you will write to me first, because I am the eldest, you
know."

"Since you claim to be thought of first," replied her aunt, "because
you are a year older then your sister, I hope you intend to take the
lead by setting before her a good example, that it may be well for her
to imitate you in every respect."

Louisa blushed, and was silent. "We will try our very best, dear
aunt," said Emma, "that mamma may send you good news, and then you
will write to us both. And, perhaps, before you come back, we shall be
grown such good girls, that you will not be able to find fault with
either of us."

"I am afraid that is not very likely," said Louisa; "for it seems as
if we could not help being naughty sometimes. I am sure I have often
said to myself, 'Mamma shall not