to you."

"Mother!"

Only that one word, but the way in which it was uttered, and the
graceful form that went down upon its knees before her to draw the head
she kept rocking to and fro down upon her breast proved sufficient to
calm the weak woman. Her sobs grew less frequent, and she at last began
to wipe her eyes, after kissing Hazel again and again.

"I suppose we must accept our fate, my dear," she said at last. "I'm
sure I do mine. And now mind this. Cissy--Mabel!"

"Yes, mamma! Oh, sister Hazel, isn't it time to go?"

"I say you will mind this. Cissy--Mabel, you are to--But must they walk
in procession with those terrible children, Hazel?"

"Why not, dear? They will be with me, and what can be more innocent and
pleasant than this treat to the poor girls? There, there, I know, for
my sake, you will come up and lend your countenance to their sports."

"Well, well," sighed Mrs Thorne. "I'll try. But mind me, Hazel," she
exclaimed sharply, "I'm not coming up with that dreadful woman, Mrs
Chute. I am coming by myself."

"Yes, dear, I would," said Hazel.

"And mind this. Cissy and Mabel, though you are going to walk behind
the school children and carry flowers, you are not to forget that you
are young ladies. Mind that."

"No, mamma!" in duet.

"And--Oh dear me, Hazel, there is some one at the front door, and I've
only got on my old cap. I really cannot be seen; I--Good gracious _me_,
Hazel, don't let any one in."

Too late. Hazel had already opened the door and admitted little Miss
Burge, who came trotting in with her face all smiles.

"I thought I should never get through the children," she panted; "and
ain't it 'ot? How well you do look, my dear! Lavender muslin suits you
exactly. And how are you, my bonny little ones?" she cried, kissing the
two girls. "But there, I've no time to lose. The band will be here
directly, and my brother is with the boys; and, Mrs Thorne, he sends
his compliments to you."

Mrs Thorne had drawn herself up very stiffly in her chair, and was
preserving a dignified silence, feeling offended at their visitor's want
of recognition; but Mr Burge's compliments taught her that this patron
of the school acknowledged her status in society, and she smiled and
bowed.

"And he said that he hoped you would excuse his not calling to invite
you himself, but--now, bless my heart, what was the rest of it?"

She looked in a perplexed way at Hazel, and then at the ceil