THE RETURN. 169

Robert pointed to a patch of green* leaves which
were floating upon the water at some distance
from the shore, and said that that was a field of*
lily pads.

“Lily pads,” repeated Lucy ; “ what are lily
pads ?””

“Why, that is where the pond lilies grow,”
said Robert. ‘We come out here sometimes,
and get them.”

“1 never saw any pond lilies,” said Lucy.
“ Are they pretty?”

“QO, yes,” said Robert, “ beautiful. They are
white, and just like a star; and when they are
open, they are as big as the palm of my hand.”

“IT wish I could get one,” said Lucy.

“IT would go and get you one,” said Robert,
“if it was the right season. But it is too late ;
they are all gone now.”

“How could you get them,” asked Lucy’s
mother, “if there were any now?”

-« QO, we’ve got a raft,” said Robert, “ along the
shore here a little way. The boys made a raft,
and we come and go out on that.”

“ Boys!” said Lucy’s mother with surprise.
“T’shouldn’t think that there would ever be any
boys here.” ‘

.&O, yes,” said Robert, “there are a great
many boys live about here.”

“‘ Why, where?” said Lucy’s mother. “ Ex-
cepting Mr. Emery’s house, I have not seen an
signs of inhabitants at all. It is all desolation,’

There were, however, a great number of farms

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