18 A YEAR WITH NELLIE.

to be truthful and obedient—I have to leave
him so much to you now.”

“Yes, mother. But look, Harry is at the
gate waiting for me. Good-bye.”

She ran out, and Mrs. Maine watched her
two youngest children from the window, as
they climbed the hill in full view, then de-
scended on the further side and were lost to
sight. As she turned away she sighed, for it
was a great trouble to her that she had to let
these little ones “run wild” the while she,
who could have given them all the instruction
they needed for the present, was compelled by
increasing poverty to spend all her time in
managing her dairy, her poultry, and keeping
her house in order.

The children ran happily along the hard dry
road, and in nearly half an hour reached the
school-house. ;

Miss Rayner was usually there on a Sunday
morning to take a class of girls and give them
a Bible lesson. Nellie Maine was always in
this class, and her attentive face and ready
answers had made her a favourite with the
young lady, who often gave her a special smile
or word of encouragement.