THE NORTHCROFT LILIES.

 with two baskets of lilies each; and Mrs. Joyce, too,
 went in the direction of Kennington Park, and came
 back in two hours to refill her basket.
 Nancy had kept one beautiful bunch of lilies for
 Miss Brooke and one for herself, but, excepting these,
 all were sold by night; and after paying for coals and
 other necessaries, there was one pound seven left, and
 this was put in an old purse under Nancy's pillow.
 The day aftewards Mrs. Joyce, under her daughter's
 guidance, replied to Miss Gertrude's letter:-

 "RESPECTED Miss,-This comes to thank you for
the beautiful flowers. We have sold them all, and
they made going on for two pounds; and we are now
comfortable. Mother being out of work, we were
very poor before. I have kept a few lilies for Miss
Brooke. She brought me a picture; it is a cross and
lilies, and these words-' Shall He not much more care
for you?' Dear miss, we think He did care for us.
The picture came on Monday and the flowers on
Tuesday. You have made us very happy, and we
thank you respectfully with all our hearts, and pray
God to bless you; and we thank Him for putting the
good thought into your hearts. Dear miss, we send
our duty, and I put Master Bertie's lilies in my hymn-
book.--From your grateful, humble servant,
 "NANCY JOYCE.
 "I am learning some new work, and have got an
order for six yards. I should be so glad if I could see
you again."

 If Gertrude had been happy on Monday, when she
sent off the hamper, what was she now ? She had
really done good; and had God indeed put the thought
into her heart? It seemed almost too great a thing;