olland frock, and dressed the
little girl in pale pink silk. The dress was very unsuitable, but it
became the radiant little face and bright, large eyes, and pathetic,
sweet mouth, to perfection.

Sibyl ran up to her mother, and, dropping on one knee by her side,
looked up into her face.

"Now you'll kiss me," she said; "now you're pleased with your own
Sibyl. I am pretty, I'm beautiful, and you, darling mother, will kiss
me."

"Get up, Sib, and don't be absurd," said Mrs. Ogilvie; but as she
spoke a warm light came into her eyes, for the child was fascinating,
and just in the mood to appeal most to her mother.

"Really," said Mrs. Ogilvie, "you do look nice in that dress, it fits
you very well. Turn round, and let me see how it is made at the back.
Ah! I told Mademoiselle Leroe to make it in that style; that little
watteau back is so very becoming to small girls. Turn round now
slowly, and let me get the side view. Yes, it is a pretty dress; be
sure you don't mess it. You are to come down with the other children
to dessert. You had better go now, I am tired."

"But Mummy--Mumsy!"

"Don't call me Mummy or Mumsy, say mother. I don't like
abbreviations."

"What's that?" asked Sibyl, knitting her brows.

"Mummy or Mumsy are abbreviations of a very sacred name."

"Sacred name!" said Sibyl, in a thoughtful tone. "Oh yes, I won't call
you anything but mother. Mother is most lovely."

"Well, I hope you will be a good child, and not annoy me as you have
been doing."

"Oh, mother darling, I didn't mean to vex you, but it was such a
temptation, you know. You were never, never tempted, were you, mother?
You are made so perfect that you cannot understand what temptation
means. I did so long to climb the trees, and I knew you would not like
me spoil my pretty frock, and Freda lent me the brown holland. When I
saw you, Mums--I mean, mother--I forgot about everything else but just
that I had climbed a tree, and that I had been brave, although for a
minute I felt a scrap giddy, and I wanted to tell you about what I had
done, my ownest, most darling mother."

Mrs. Ogilvie sprang suddenly to her feet.

"Come here," she said. There was a sharpness in her tone which
arrested the words on Sibyl's lips. "Look at me, take my hand, look
steadily into my face. I have just five minutes to spare, and I wish
to say something very grave and important, and you must listen
attentively."

"Oh, yes, mother, I am listening; what is i