SCHOOL DAYS AT ST. MiARYYS.

 "" Oh, thank you Grace, dear;" and neither Grace
nor Matty thought any harm of the deceit, which
would, in their phraseology, "take in" the drawing-
master by giving a false impression.
 "Oh, don't jog so, Grace!" exclaimed Julia;
" how can one write? Dear me, Emily, how you do
get on!-I believe Lydia helps you. I am sure that
string of correct answers can't be yours !"
 "I'm sure I have not helped her, said Lydia, in-
dignantly; "look to yourself, Julia."
 "CThank you, I am accustomed to do that, but
it's refreshing to see you savage, Lydia, you have been
too tame to endure for some time ;" and Lydia, who
was regretfully conscious she had suffered herself to
speak angrily, gulped down her vexation as well as
she could.
 Oh, Julia, I forgot, it is your turn to practise in
the drawing-room," said Grace; and, after Julia's
departure, comparative peace reigned in the school
room.
 The holidays drew near, and the girls worked with
double ardour. The last day came, and the rewards
were given out. As Mrs. Palmer gave the French
prize to Annie Wells, a girl so dull that she rarely
spoke unless spoken to, and spoke French generally
because she did not like being found fault with, she
said kindly, though very gravely, Lydia and Emily,
my dears, I am very sorry to find you have been so
careless with your French. You have more bad marks
for not speaking than any of the others-you must
do better next time." A reproof was very unusual
from Mrs. Palmer, and at first there was a pained
weary feeling in the girls' minds, for they knew they
had tried more than ever. But there came a thought
to Emily, which she whispered to Lydia afterwards :