at first, but
began by giving Faith a very particular account of the whole process of
circulation; thence diverging right and left, in the most erratic
manner as it seemed to her,--passing from the bright crystal points in
chymistry to the blue mould on a piece of bread, and then explaining to
her the peculiar mechanism of a fly's eye. Two or three times he sent
her to the cupboard for some book to shew her an illustration of the
subject, but if there was any connecting link that she could see
between one and another, it was simply the wonderful minute perfection
of the world. And she needed none--for the different things were
touched upon so clearly and yet with such a happy absence of needless
details, that they stood forth in full relief, and set off each other.
The daylight was already failing, and the red firelight was playing
hide and seek with the shadows in Mr. Linden's room, before he gave her
a chance to think what time it was. When she saw it, Faith started up.

"I told mother I would come and see her before I went!"--she said,
drawing a long breath like a person in an atmosphere he can't get
enough of. Then with a little change of tone, after standing a minute
looking at the fire, she went on.--"All _I_ can do, is to drive the
nails into that wood-box--but I'll do it before to-morrow." She held
out her hand as she spoke.

"No you must not," Mr. Linden said, as he took the hand. "To-night you
will be out, and you must not give me a late breakfast, Miss
Faith!--therefore you must go to bed as soon as you come home, and
leave the box to _me_."

Faith ran away and did not go to her hammering just then. She brought a
low bench to her mother's feet, sat down there; and taking Mrs.
Derrick's hands from whatever they were about, wrapped both arms round
herself, laying her head on her mother's lap.

"Mother," she said caressingly,--"I couldn't come down before. I was so
busy and so interested, I didn't in the least know what time it was;
and I hadn't a chance to think."

"I'm sure I'm glad, pretty child," said her mother, bending down to
kiss her. "I think sometimes you think too much. But you look just like
a baby, for all that. I'm sure I shall always love Mr. Linden for
pleasing you so much," said Mrs. Derrick stroking Faith's hair, "even
though he does please himself too."

Faith secured that hand again and held them both wrapped round her; but
further words for a moment spoke not.

"I shall come home as