EDITH, THE YOUNG TEACHER. 39

held it toward the window, that all
its beauty might be seen! She could
scarcely find time to examine the
work-box, or to open the books; nor
did she once observe that her mam-
ma looked grave, and showed ne
sions of pleasure, while aunt Mary
also was silent and sad. She seemed
as if she could never be tired of
praising the kindness of the old lady;
and she was only sorry that the box
did not arrive till just before bed-
time; on which account she had soon
to fold up her pretty dress, and put
it out of sight.

It will not be a matter of surprise
that Edith read her chapter that night
without much thought about its mean-
ing; and when she knelt down to
pray, her heart was not with her
words, as at other times. The next