fYALOON DAYS.

they visited the more distant dwellings of their humble
neighbours, carrying little comforts to the aged and
sick-articles of clothing to the children, or such books
as Miss Forster thought they would read with profit as
well as pleasure.
 But," said Minnie, when her governess first pro-
posed these weekly visits, cannot we just as well send
the poor people what they need ?"
 A servant could take the things to them," re-
marked Louisa, and then we might have Saturday
afternoon for nice visits, instead of going to those dirty
cottages."
 "It is partly because some of them are dirty that
I wish to visit them," said Miss Forster; E" when the
cottagers perceive that we interest ourselves about
them, they will endeavour to please us, and they will
make it a matter of pride to have their houses decent
when we call; this will be laying the foundation of
a good habit, and thus we shall do them real good.
And then, dear Minnie, the poor value our kind words
and sympathy more than they do our gifts-our
clothes and jellies may be thankfully accepted when
sent by a servant, but if brought by ourselves and
presented with friendly looks, and hopeful, encourage.
ing words, they will afford infinitely more comfort and
pleasure."
 They started on one of these excursions one lovely
Saturday in June, when summer is in all its freshness
and glory. Their road lay through charming lanes
with high banks, and shaded by an arched roof of oaks
and elms. An hour's drive brought them to the
dwelling of Dame Graysley, whose youngest girl was
just recovering from a long illness. It was a neat
pretty cottage, surrounded by a garden gay with
flowers, intended for use as well as ornament, for a