Pleasures Anticipated. 23

amuse ourselves with looking over the house
and grounds, riding the pony, and playing at
games, or Mr. Howard will take us on the
water; then comes tea, and after that we are
to see a magic lantern, and be home again
about ten. We do hope it will be fine; a
wet day would spoil all our pleasure."
 "Yes, my love, I hope it will; but I also
hope that this anticipated treat will not make
you inattentive to your studies in the mean-
time," said Mrs. Hamilton.
 "No, mamma; we shall try to be doubly
good. Miss Campbell says if any of us be-
have ill before that time she shall be obliged
to leave us behind, so we must be on our
guard more than usual."
 How old is Kate Howard ?"
 "She will be sixteen, papa. She is such a
good girl; but she is going to leave school at
Midsummer. I don't know how we shall
manage without her, it will not seem like the
same place when she is gone; she is so kind
to the younger ones, and helps us all with our
lessons when we are in difficulties."
 "Mamma," said Edith, did you hear from
Gilbert to-day ?"
 "Yes, my dear, I did. I think I have his
letter in my pocket. Ah! here it is; I will read