MRS. MODESTY AND THE MAGNIFYING GLASS. 43

“Come and eat your good suppers, each of you,” said Mrs.
Modesty, looking at Clover as if she could read his thoughts.

_ The children drew their small chairs to the table, and sat down.
The moment they did so Trusty came and sat between them, his
tail going very hard, his eyes moist with expectation, and his tongue
watering. Watch ceased to blink at the fire, and, springing on the
table sat and looked at the nice bread and milk.

“Really,” said Cowslip to herself, “fond as I am of animals, I
cannot spare any of this “d//e supper. I am frightfully hungry now,
and I wonder how such a small meal is to keep me going until the
morning. Mrs. Modesty must feed her own animals.”

While she was saying these thoughts to herself she heard a laugh,
and looking up, saw that Mrs. Modesty was standing watching the
two children, and the two animals.

“ My dears,” she said, “ you may be surprised at the behaviour of
Trusty and Watch, but it is a time-honoured custom in this house that
travellers always share their meals with my two friends, as I call this
very faithful dog and this nice pleasant-mannered cat. You will have
the goodness, my dears, to leave a little of the milk in each of your
saucers for Watch, and to give Trusty every second mouthful of the
soft bread.”

“ But how hungry we shall be ourselves!” said Cowslip.

“T don’t think so, my dear. Hat up your suppers, share your good
things with others, and you will find that you have had abundance.”

The children immediately began to eat, and Clover, following Mrs.
Modesty’s advice, gave every second mouthful of his bread and milk
to Trusty. He quickly found that the old lady’s words were true.
Their little cups of bread and milk seemed to hold a great deal more
than anyone would imagine; and although Cowslip was not at all
willing at first to share her tiny meal with the animals, she ended by
copying her brother, and finally laughed heartily when Watch tapped
her severely on the arm to remind her that she had eaten enough, and
that the rest of the milk belonged by right to him.

After supper the children went to bed, and slept soundly until
the morning.