TIE NORTHICROFT LILIES.

basket. It was soon empty, and as he ran home he
stopped at a cook-shop in the Walworth Road, where-
what he thought-very inviting joints of beef and
mutton were displayed in the windows. As he went
down Eyre Street he spied Joe. Come on," he cried,
" I've got something to eat here. Some ladies sent
Nancy some flowers, and I've sold some of 'em; and
I've got some prime beef and a loaf here in the basket."
 Oh, Tim, I'm so glad I'm so hungry. Then
can we buy the cresses to-morrow ?"
 Oh, yes," said Tim, "look at all these coppers,
and there's more for to-morrow. We'll drive a trade,
Joe."
 So that afternoon the poor people sat down to a
comfortable meal, the first substantial one they had
had for many days. Afterwards Mrs. Joyce and the
boys sat round the hamper, and helped Nancy to tie
up the remaining lilies, for it was necessary they
should be sold next day; and occasionally Mrs. Joyce
would exclaim, "Well, the Lord did remember us;
don't forget that, children! He sent us these."
 "Like He sent the man food by the birds.
Teacher told us about that last Sunday. Well, it's
very good," said Tim. "I felt strange and willing to
prig a loaf this morning, but I didn't; and now I
won't think of it."
 Oh, Tim, did you?" said his sister. "Oh, I'm
thankful you didn't; you see God didn't leave us too
long; and now, if we sell these, we can go on and lay
by a little maybe, and it'll be all right. Whatever you
do, Tim, don't go against God's laws; He never tries
us too much."
 The boys were up with the first streak of light
next morning to go for their water-cresses. About
nine they came back, and soon after went out again