crown bought mugs, marbles,
and penny knives, and there were even hopes that something would remain
for bodkins, to serve as nozzles to the bellows, which were the pride of
Blanche's heart.

Never were Easter gifts the source of more pleasure to the givers,
especially when the nursery establishment met Dr. Hoxton near the
pastrycook's shop, and he bestowed on Blanche a packet of variegated
sugar-plums, all of which she literally poured out at Ethel's feet,
saying, "I don't want them. Only let me have one for Aubrey, because he
is so little. All the rest are for the poor children at Cocksmoor."

After this, Margaret declared that Blanche must be allowed to buy the
bodkin, and give her bellows to Jane Taylor, the only Cocksmoor child
she knew, and to whom she always destined in turn every gift that she
thought most successful.

So Blanche went with Flora to the toy-shop, and there fell in love with
a little writing-box, that so eclipsed the bellows, that she tried to
persuade Flora to buy it for Jane Taylor, to be kept till she could
write, and was much disappointed to hear that it was out of the
question. Just then a carriage stopped, and from it stepped the pretty
little figure of Meta Rivers.

"Oh! how do you do? How delightful to meet you! I was wondering if we
should! Little Blanche too!" kissing her, "and here's Mrs. Larpent--Mrs.
Larpent--Miss Flora May. How is Miss May?"

This was all uttered in eager delight, and Flora, equally pleased,
answered the inquiries. "I hope you are not in a hurry," proceeded Meta;
"I want your advice. You know all about schools, don't you? I am come
to get some Easter presents for our children, and I am sure you can help
me."

"Are the children little or big?" asked Flora.

"Oh! all sorts and sizes. I have some books for the great sensible ones,
and some stockings and shoes for the tiresome stupid ones, but there are
some dear little pets that I want nice things for. There--there's a doll
that looks just fit for little curly-headed Annie Langley, don't you
think so, Mrs. Larpent?"

The price of the doll was a shilling, and there were quickly added to
it, boxes of toys, elaborate bead-work pincushions, polished blue and
green boxes, the identical writing-case--even a small Noah's ark. Meta
hardly asked the prices, which certainly were not extravagant, since she
had nearly twenty articles for little more than a pound.

"Papa has given me a benefaction of L5 for my school-gifts