10 THROUGH THE FARM-YARD.

said Bertha in some surprise. "That is very
strange. I never could have believed she would
have neglected the chickens."
 "Oh, Miss Beeta, as we called your mamma,
was, I fear, just like little girls in general. She
hadn't a very good memory; and she was so fond
of reading, when she was your age, that when
once she had a book in her hand she forgot every-
thing else."
 "Mamma must have been very clever," said
Bertha, "to read books herself, nurse. I only
know very little words, and can't read a story."
 Yes; Miss Beeta was just an uncommon clever
child," said nurse. "I don't expect ever to see
any one like her. She was a very dear and good
child, in spite of her forgetfulness;-but here
comes Martha."
 Martha had good-naturedly hurried with her
work to take the little missie, as she called
Bertha, out; and taking her by the hand, she
led her through the farm-yard, and past the
thrashing-mill, and showed her the great wheel
revolving round and round, splashing up the water
and letting it trickle down in little waterfalls. She
was somewhat afraid of it at first; but Martha held
her hand very tightly, and showed her how she,