e boy who lived
by himself;" and the childless condition of the man whose "old wife
wasn't at home;" and where the dogs actually _did_ take the
"wheel-barrow, wife and all;" he feeling perfectly satisfied of the
accurate information of Agnes on all these important topics.

Several times the little bright eyes slowly closed, and Agnes thought he
was fairly conquered. Slowly drawing her arm from under his head, she
began cautiously to rise; but before she had stolen a foot from the bed,
he would start up and stare at her in amazement, exclaiming, "Where
going, sister?" and then he seemed to learn by experience, and to
determine that he wouldn't be "caught napping" again that evening.

In the meantime, the fun was going on below, and several beautiful
pictures had been exhibited and admired before Agnes was missed from the
darkened parlor. But now came the cry, "Agnes! Come, Agnes! Where's
Agnes? She is to be in this picture." To which Mrs. Elwyn replied, that
"Agnes was putting Lewie to sleep."

"And hasn't she been here at all, Aunt Harriet?"

"No," answered Mrs. Elwyn, "Lewie takes a long time to get to sleep
to-night."

"That is _too bad_, I declare!" said little Grace, her cheeks reddening
with vexation, "Agnes did want to see these pictures so; can't I go up
and see if Lewie is asleep, Aunt Harriet."

"Better not," said Mrs. Elwyn; "you may disturb him just as he is
dropping asleep, and then Agnes will have to stay much longer."

The exclamations of indignation were loud and furious from the whole
party of little folks, when it was found that Agnes had been all the
evening banished from the room, and they were ready to go up to Lewie's
room in a body and take possession of Agnes, and bring her down in
triumph. But Emily said, "stop children, and I will go."

Very quietly Emily stole into the room and up to the bedside. The
children were lying with their arms about each other, Agnes' little hand
was on her brother's cheek, and both were soundly sleeping. Emily
touched Agnes gently and whispered in her ear, but her slumber was so
very sound that she could not arouse her. "Better to let her sleep on
now," said Emily, "and if Agnes only knew it, she has helped to make the
prettiest tableaux we have had this evening."

Thus early was little Agnes learning to give up her own gratification
for the sake of others, while the strong will of her little brother was
strengthened by constant exercise and indulgence, for