THE NORTICROFT LILIES.

the opportunity of unfolding it, she did not know how
to begin.
 Papa came to her aid, Let us hear it, Ger-
trude."
 "Well, but-don't laugh, Effie. It's only this:
don't you think we could send a basket filled with
lilies to Nancy ?"
 Nancy could not sell them," said Effie.
 "No, but the boys could; and a hamper would
hold lots."
 They are in no special need that we know of just
nlow.".
 "No, but they may be; and they could lay the
money by."
 "There's forethought!" said Effie.
 "IHow much is lots'?" said Mr. Layton.
 "Why, papa, you know; heaps I mean:" and
poor Gertrude, rather at a loss to express herself,
grew very red.
 "I don't think Tim and Joe could sell them for
ninepence a bunch, Gertrude," said her mother.
"Suppose you say threepence."
 "c Oh, mamma, and those beautiful lilies !"
 There would be more prospect of selling them if
you fixed a low price, than there would be with a high
one; that is what I mean, dearest." For Mrs. Lay-
ton was always ready to sympathize with her little
girl's kind intentions.
 "Well, then, I should think we could send enougli
to make a hundred bunches. A hundred bunches at
threepence each-let me see: that would be-a hun-
dred pence are eight and fourpence; two hundred,
sixteen and eightpence; three hundred, twenty-five
shillings-one pound five! Oh, that would be nice,
mamma, wouldn't it ? It would help poor Mrs. Joyce
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