80 MARY.

“Mamma,” she said, “may I go to Cecil’s commencement
with her mamma? I will be, oh, so good! And then, mamma, I
can tell just how we must have ours. And may Cecil come to.
ours? It would be so nice to have her help eat the ice-cream.”

Mrs. Warner laughed: “ Which question shall I answer
first? If it is a pleasant day I think you may go with Cecil’s
mamma, and you may certainly ask Cecil to come here.”

Mary was very happy. ‘“ Now, mamma,” she said, “I wish
you would find me something to learn to recite, for I haven’t
very long to study, and we shall have to. have some songs.
Oh, mamma! could you teach me a French song?”

“Perhaps so,” replied her mother. “ Why do you want a
French song?”

“ Because Cecil is going to sing one.” .

“Then suppose you sing a German song, for a change. I
can think of a cunning little German song I can teach you.”

“Thank you, mamma; I will try very hard to learn it
well,” said Mary, throwing her arms around her mother’s
neck.

For the next week Mary was very busy, and looked for-
ward with all the interest of a graduate to her commencement
day. On Wednesday morning she started out with Cecil’s
mamma to the commencement of Miss Foster’s school, and paid
such attention to all the exercises that Mrs. Crawford was .
much amused by the absorbed expression on the little one’s
face. ~ Her own little girl was two years older than Mary, but