52 JANET.

“How tired mother must get!” she thought, “and yet she
never says a word. I wish I could have gone to school to-day ;
it is the first day I have missed, and I am afraid I shall not
take the prize. But there! I will not think about it; mother
wouldn’t if it were she.” And she rose from her chair, stepping
busily back and forth from table to stove, humming a little
song, till it was dinner-time, and she saw her father drive up
from the woods, where he had been hauling rails.

“Still housekeeper,” he said. “ You are doing pretty well,
girlie. See what I found in the woods this morning.” And he
produced a little squirrel which had hurt itself in some way.

“Poor little thing!” said Janet. “I will try to keep it till
it gets well. Where shall I put it, father?”

“There is an old bird-cage in the wood-house which will
do for the present. I will get it after dinner.”

So little Bunny was put in his new home, and, though he
was very much frightened at first, he soon became less timid, .
and looked around with his bright eyes when Janet came near.

Before the dinner dishes were cleared away Robin was
awake and had to have his dinner, but he was still in a good
humor, and was so entertained by watching the squirrel that
Janet finished her work without any trouble; but just as she
put away the last dish she looked up to see her mother stand-
ing in the door-way.

“Why, mother,” she said, “ what did you ae up for ?”

“T felt so much better,” she answered. “My nap did me