he thought it would not be fair to Mr. Franklin, and the wide field
upon which she had to work began to alarm her imagination.

Before the boys came down again, she had settled the plan of operations
with Henrietta and Mr. Franklin, dragged her holly bushes into the
aisle, and brought out her knife and string. They came down declaring
that they could be of no use, and they should go away, and Beatrice made
no objection to the departure of Carey and Johnny, who, as she justly
observed, would be only in the way; but she insisted on keeping Fred and
Alex.

"Look at all those pillars! How are we ever to twine them by ourselves?
Look at all those great bushes! How are we to lift them? No, no, indeed,
we cannot spare you, Fred. We must have some stronger hands to help us,
and you have such a good eye for this sort of thing."

Had Alexander gone, Fred would have found some excuse for following him,
rather than he should leave him with young ladies, doing young ladies'
work; but, as Beatrice well knew, Alex would never withdraw his
assistance when she asked Fred's, and she felt secure of them both.

"There, Alex, settle that ladder by the screen, please. Now will you see
if there is anything to tie a piece of string to? for it is of no use to
make a festoon if we cannot fasten it."

"I can't see anything."

"Here, give me your hand, and I'll look." Up tripped the little Bee,
just holding by his hand. "Yes, to be sure there is! Here is a great
rough nail sticking out. Is it firm? Yes, capitally. Now, Alex, make a
sailor's knot round it. Help me down first though--thank you. Fred, will
you trim that branch into something like shape. You see how I mean. We
must have a long drooping wreath of holly and ivy, to blend with the
screen. How tough this ivy is! Thank you--that's it. Well, Mr. Franklin,
I hope we shall get on in time."

Mr. Franklin was sure of it; and seeing all actively employed, and
himself of little use, he took his leave for the present, hoping that
the Misses Langford would not tire themselves.

Angels' work is Church decoration--work fit for angels, that is to say;
but how pure should be the hands and hearts engaged in it! Its greatness
makes it solemn and awful. It is work immediately for the glory of
God; it is work like that of the children who strewed the palm-branches
before the steps of the Redeemer! Who can frame in imagination a
more favoured and delightful occupation, than that of the four young
c