d the old harper. "If she says the shilling
is good, we will keep it."

The coin was then handed to Susan, who had not yet spoken, but now
that she was called upon she did not shrink from telling the truth. In
a gentle but firm tone she said, "I think the shilling is a bad one."

"There's another then," cried the Attorney's son; "I have plenty of
shillings and sixpences. They are nothing to me." And he walked away.

The children now all started for their homes, and the old harper
begged that Susan would show him the way to the village, if she were
going there. The lad took up the harp and little William led the old
man by the hand, while John ran on before to gather buttercups in the
meadows. When they reached a little brook which they must cross by a
narrow plank, Susan was afraid to leave the harper to the care of his
little guide, so she herself took his hand and led him safely to the
other side.

Soon they reached the road, and Susan told the boy who carried his
master's harp that he could not now lose his way. She then said
good-by to the harper, adding that she and her brothers must take the
short path across the fields, which would not be so pleasant for him
because of the stiles.

"I am afraid Miss Somers will be waiting," said Susan to to her
brothers as they ran along together. "You know she said she would call
at six o'clock, and I am sure by the length of our shadows that it is
getting late."

VII

GOOD NEWS

When they came to their own cottage-door, they heard voices, and they
saw, when they entered, two ladies standing in the kitchen.

"Come in, Susan," said Miss Somers, "I fancy you forgot that we
promised to pay you a visit this evening; but you need not blush so
much, there is no great harm done; we have only been here about five
minutes and we have been admiring your neat garden and your tidy
shelves. Is it you, Susan, who keeps these things in such nice order?"
went on Miss Somers, looking round the kitchen.

Before Susan could reply, little William pushed forward and answered,
"Yes, ma'am, it is my sister Susan that keeps everything neat; and she
always comes to school for us too, which was what caused her to be so
late."

"Because," went on John, "she would not refuse to let us hear a blind
man play on the harp. It was we who kept her, and we hope, ma'am, as
you seem so good, you won't take it amiss."

Miss Somers and her sister smiled as they listened to Susan's little
brot