e on the island,
especially in winter, and it was not easy to remember, which must be
her excuse; but it was a sad want in her week, and a want which was
continually growing worse as she grew older.

Altogether, it was not a good or wholesome life for a child to lead,
and only her high spirits and sweet, healthful temper kept her from
being seriously hurt by it. It was just now that Mr. Joyce's words
were proved true, and the quick power of imagination with which nature
had gifted her became her best friend. It enabled her to take sights
and sounds into the place of play-fellows and friends, mixing them
with her life as it were, and half in fun, half in earnest, getting
companionship out of them. Skies and sunsets, flowers, waves,
birds,--all became a part of the fairy-world which lay always at hand,
and to which her mind went for change and rest from work too hard and
thoughts over-anxious for a child to bear. She was growing fast, but
the only signs she gave of growing older were her womanly and
thoughtful ways about papa and his comforts, and a slight, very
slight, difference in her feeling toward Genevieve, whom she played
with no longer, though she took her out now and then when she was
quite alone, and set her in a chair opposite, as better than no
company at all. Eyebright had no idea of being disloyal to this dear
old friend, but her eyes had opened to the fact that Genevieve was
only wax, and do what she could, it was impossible to make her seem
alive any more.

Her rapid growth was another trouble, for she could not wear the
clothes which she had brought with her to the island, and it was very
hard to get others. Papa had no money to spare, she knew, and she
could not bear to worry him with her difficulties, so she went to Mrs.
Downs instead. Mrs. Downs had her hands full of sewing for "him" and
her three boys; still she found time to advise and help, and between
her fitting and Eyebright's sewing, a skirt and jacket were concocted
out of the water-proof designated by Wealthy, which though rather
queer in pattern, did nicely for cool days, and relieved Eyebright
from the long-legged sensation which was growing over her. This, with
a calico, some of Mrs. Bright's underclothing altered a little, and a
sun-bonnet with a deep cape, made a tolerable summer outfit. Gloves,
ruffles, ribbons, and such little niceties, she learned to do without;
and when the sweet summer came again with long days and warm winds,
whe