HOME AT THE HAVEN.

and so did their mother, when a knock louder than
usual came to the door; and, like their mother, they
could not help waiting in breathless silence a minute or
two, to see if the maid was going to bring up the letter
to their room. Her step was heard on the stairs, the
door opened, and she came in and handed their mother,
Mrs. Osborne, a letter. Lucy saw her mother's hand
almost tremble as she opened the letter, and she looked
grave and eager as she began to read it. As she read,
however, the anxious look cleared away, she almost
smiled, she looked pleased and satisfied; and letting
the letter fall upon her lap, she leant her arm upon the
table at her side, and covered her eyes with her hand
for a few minutes. Lucy did not know that, during
those few minutes, thanks from her mother's heart
were being offered to God, who had heard her prayers
and sent her help in time of trouble. Lucy, my love,"
said she at length in a cheerful tone, "I have got
a letter at last from your uncle. Edward, do you hear ?
Why, where is Edward ? said she, looking round the
room.
 Here, mother; here I am," cried Edward, scram-
bling out of his corner with his beloved 'Robinson'-
"c a letter from uncle, did you say ?"
 Yes; and such a pleasant letter, dear children.
You know I wrote to consult him about our going to
New Zealand, and instead of that he asks us to go and
stay with him all the summer at least, and perhaps for
ever. But listen to what he says," and she read aloud
as follows :--
 "THE HAVEN, NEAR P-,
 HANTS, April 25th.
 "DEAR SISTER OSBORNE,-I received your letter,
 dated the 5th, only this morning, having been for the
 last fortnight from home. I took a run down to Ports.
 B2