retty warbler, go; and, warned by former danger, keep close to your
new young mistress."

Nelly uttered an exclamation of delight, as, obedient to the word,
silver-winged Content flew again into her bosom, and nestled there like
a child.

"Oh, thanks, thanks!" she cried; "such a treasure as this will be a
constant delight. I would rather have the bird Content, than even the
crown of Success."

"You must never part with it," said Duty earnestly, "whoever may tempt
you to do so; my gift must never be sold or exchanged. Content is a
wonderful bird; joy and happiness breathe in his note. Though I be not
visibly present, such a mysterious tie connects Content with Duty, that
when you have followed my rules, and acted as I would have you act, my
bird will cheer and reward you with one of his sweetest songs."

"I will never, never part with him of my own free will," said Nelly, as
she fondled her bird.

Affection now came forward. The reader may remark that the sisters
seemed ever to keep close together, as though they scarcely could live
apart. They were indeed tenderly attached, and felt a pleasure in each
other's society which made them never willingly sundered. Duty felt that
without Affection she would find every occupation a weary task; and
Affection, who was a little given to extravagance, would often have got
into trouble without the quiet counsels of Duty. Each looked fairer and
brighter when seen in the company of her sister.

Affection now placed before Nelly a Book, wrapped in a cover of gold.
"To my sister's gift," she said, "I must add one yet more precious.
However well the head may be furnished, if the _highest_ knowledge be
wanting, all other things become worthless and vain. Treasure this Book,
dear child; make it your counsellor and guide; you will not prize it
less because Duty requires you to study it, and it may be pleasant to
you to remember that you first received it from my hand as the best, the
noblest gift which even Affection could offer."

Youthful reader, do you know that Book, and do you dearly prize it? It
is that volume which gives knowledge compared to which all the
inventions of science, all the learning of man, all the wisdom of this
world, is but as dust in the balance.

CHAPTER XXI.

PLANS AND PLOTS.

How happy was little Nelly now, with Content as her constant companion.
He was with her when she went on expeditions to the town of Education,
flying before her, then sto