70 LUCY AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

out much difficulty. It was the ruins of an old
tree, which the wind had blown over about ten
years before. It was leaning against the other
trees, and was very much decayed. The limbs
had nearly all dropped off, and it looked so dry
that Robert thought that, if he could get it down,
and split it up, it would be excellent for his fire.

In the mean time, Lucy and Eben walked
along slowly towards the house. When they got
there, Lucy sat down upon a chopping-block in
the yard, while Eben went in to ask his mother for
the lantem. While he was gone, Lucy happen@d
to think that, perhaps, her mother would not like
to have her go and help make a fire in the woods,
and, at any rate, that she had better go and get
leave. She reflected that, if she went without
leave, she should feel uncertain and doubtful, all
the time, whether she was doing right or wrong ;
and that would destroy the pleasure of the fire.
So she got up, and went into the house to find her
mother.

She found her seated at a window in the kitch-
en, with the General’s wife and Ellen, all par-
ing apples for an apple-pudding which they were
going to have for dinner.

*©Q mother,” said Lucy, “let me pare some
apples.”