0 THE FAITHFUL NURSE,

She gladly left her native village, and many friends
who valued her, to come here among strangers to be
near me. Only think what a desolate childhood mine
would have been without her love and care, and how
ignorant I might have been of the best knowledge,
that of right and duty, without her faithful teachings.
When you think of the love you bear your mothers, and
remember this was the only mother I ever knew, you
will not be surprised at the attachment and respect I
feel towards her. I hope I shall have the pleasure of
taking some of you to see her at her little green cottage,
and when you know her you will learn to love her too.”

The bell soon summoned the boys to their rooms to
prepare for afternoon school. Several entered their
chamber together. They observed the large basket
which Nurse Burton had carried on her arm, on a table
near Maurice's bed; and the cover being off, they saw
it contained some plum cake, most temptingly iced,
and a quantity of fine ripe peaches and plums. Maurice
aud Philip Graham first entered the room together.

“ Maurice,” said Philip, in a low voice; on observing
the basket, “you had better put those things out of
the way, if you wish to keep them. Conceal them
among your clothes, or you will get into trouble if
Mr Harding discovers that you have them,

Several other boys, entering at the same time, said
the same thing, telling him it was against the rules of
the school for any presents of that kind to be accepted.