PAGE 1

UNOPENED PARCELS. 99 would amuse them longest and best. And this the children got to feel by degrees, and so always laid aside their fancies in favour of grandmamma's reality. I, however, made the hundredth exception once in my life. -For once I lost my faith, and you shall hear how. The old home parcels contained heaps of lesser parcels inside; each of which had its outside paper neatly tied round with string, and duly addressed with the name, in full, of the child for whom it was intended; and of these there were often two or three a-piece. On one occasion a great many other parcels had been taken out before one came for me. At last my mother, who, as I said before, always managed the unpacking, called out in a clear voice, "'Miss Honora Eleanor -.' Here, Honor dear, this is for you." It was a small, roundish little packet, and I took it to a stool by the fire, and sat down to open and enjoy it. Then I broke the seal, unfastened the string, and removed the paper from-a common walnut! unless my eyes deceived me. I had H 2