WAYS

a ty

 

RUTH.

[UTH lived with her two great-aunts; they meant to
be very kind to her, but it had been so long since
they were little girls that they could not realize
what really would make a little girl happy.

 

“Tt is a strange thing, sister,” said Miss Maria, sitting up
very straight, while her knitting-needles clicked sharply,— it
is a strange thing why Ruth will not be broken of these fits of
crying. I cannot remember our weeping so frequently when
we were children.”

Miss Sophia removed a small speck of dust from her black
silk apron, and answered, “ No, I have no recollection of being
given to tears in my childhood. It is expected of maturer
persons that they should have occasion for grief, but when a
‘child has plenty to eat, comfortable, even luxurious clothing,
and a home of which even a Sybarite might be proud, I

cannot see any reason for the slightest expression of discon-
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