ss Campbell.

"Oh no; I know that, and I didn't mean to speak of it again. But except
for that--if Flop hadn't got frightened, it would be nice, wouldn't it?
I have such a lot of fairies all my own, and I wanted Flop to have some,
and she wouldn't."

"She was very wise; and I think, Maggie, you might find some better
things to amuse yourself with than such fancies," said Eleanor rather
severely.

Maggie's face fell.

"I'm always naughty," she whispered to herself. "Even Miss Campbell
thinks me so already, and I'm sure fairies teach me to be good."

In her vague childish way she had been looking forward to full sympathy
from her eldest sister, and her hard tone disconcerted her.

"Now run off, dears, quickly," said Eleanor; "you've got your goodies
safe."

Off they trotted, Towzer's little fat hands clasping tight her
treasures.

"Dollies and doodies; Towzer and Flop dot just the same," she said with
delight to nurse when they reached their own domain.

"And don't you think, dearie, you'd better let nurse keep the goodies
for you? See here, dears," said nurse to the two little girls, "we'll
put both boxes up on the high chest of drawers, where they'll be quite
safe, and you shall have some every day. Shall we finish Miss Flop's
first and then Miss Baby's? It'll keep them fresher, not to have one box
opened till the other's done. Miss Maggie, I suppose you'll keep your
own?"

"Yes," said Maggie; and so it was arranged.

"I'll keep mine till my birthday, and then I'll have a fairy feast, and
invite Flop and Towzer," was Maggie's secret determination, which,
however, she communicated to no one. And though she spent a great part
of her playtime unobserved in arranging and rearranging the pretty
bon-bons, not one found its way to her mouth. Her birthday was to be in
a fortnight.

The next day Mr. and Mrs. Campbell left home, and Eleanor's reign began;
auspiciously enough to all appearance.

"You'll be gentle with them all, dear, especially Maggie; they have not
been under regular discipline for some time, you know?" said Mrs.
Campbell as she kissed Eleanor.

"Of course, mamma dear; can't you trust me?" was the reply, with the
slightest touch of reproach; and to herself the girl whispered, "Real
kindness and gentleness are not incompatible with firmness, however."

On the fourth day the calm was interrupted. Eleanor had just returned
from a drive to Stapleham, to fetch the afternoon letters, when she was
s