th the
mention of her name; notwithstanding which, she sat with a
very wistful face the rest of the afternoon. She was longing
for her brother's hand and kiss.

"Have your brothers' letters made you feel sober, Winnie?"
said her mother.

"I want to see him, mamma! --"

"Who?"

"Governor. --"

It was the utmost word Winifred's lips could speak.

"But dear Winnie," said her mother sorrowfully, "it is for
their good and their pleasure they are away."

"I know it, mamma, -- I know I am very selfish --"

"I don't think you are," said her mother. "Winnie, remember
that they are getting knowledge and fitting themselves to be
better and stronger men than they could be if they lived here
and learnt nothing."

"Mamma," said Winifred looking up as if defining her position,
"I don't think it is right, but I can't always help it."

"We have one friend never far off."

"Oh mamma, I remember that all the while."

"Then can't you look happy?"

"Not always, mamma," said the little girl covering her face
quickly. The mother stooped down and put her arms round her.

"You must ask him, and he will teach you to be happy always."

"But I can't, mamma, unless I could be right always," said
poor Winifred.

Mrs. Landholm was silent, but kissed her with those soft
motherly kisses which had comfort and love in every touch of
them. Soon answered, for Winifred lifted up her head and
kissed her again.

"How much longer must they be there, mamma?" she asked more
cheerfully.

"Two years," Mrs. Landholm answered, with a sigh that belonged
to what was not spoken.

"Mamma," said Winifred again presently, trying not to shew
from how deep her question came, "aint you afraid Winthrop
wants something more to wear?"

And Mrs. Landholm did not shew how deep the question went, but
she said lightly,

"We'll see about it. We'll get papa to write and make him tell
us what he wants."

"Maybe he won't tell," said Winifred thoughtfully. "I wish I
could write."

"Then why don't you set to and learn? Nothing would please
Governor so much."

"Would it!" said Winifred with a brightened face.

"Asahel," she said, as Asahel came in a few minutes after,
"mamma says Governor would like nothing so well as to have me
learn to write."

"I knew that before," said Asahel coolly. "He was talking to
me last summer about learning you."

"Was he! Then will you Asahel? Do you know yourself?"

"I know how to begin," said Asahel.

And after