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CISSY AND THE FLOWER.

  

¢(- DON'T believe it!” said little Cissie Barlow.
“~ “Oh!” shouted her Cousin Alec; and ‘ * Cassie /”
shrieked her Cousin Flo. “I dont care,” Said
| Cissie loftily; and then she repeated, in a very
ISA determined manner, “I don’t believe it! Do you
mean to tell me,” she went on scornfully, ‘ that
a stupid flower in a pot has the sense to turn
itself towards the sun, and grow towards the light? Do
you expect me to believe that? The girls at school told
me that when I visited my cousins in the country they would
be sure to tell me some strange tales; but I’m not as simple
as you seem to think, even if I do come from London!”
And with that Miss Cissie tossed her head and stamped
her foot defiantly. :

Alec and Flo looked at each other. ‘‘ Well,” said Alec
at length, “I don’t think it is very polite of you, Miss Cissie,
to talk like that, and doubt our word; but we will see if
we can find the gardener, and ask him to tell you about it.
Perhaps you will believe him.”

They set off at once, and found John busy weeding.
However, when he had heard all they had to say, he good-
naturedly got up from his work, and bidding the children
follow him, led the way to the greenhouse, where he showed
Cissie all the plants, and explained their habits in such
an interesting manner, that the little girl quite forgot the
argument that had led to this unexpected treat. But John
didn’t forget! When they had seen nearly everything in
the greenhouse, he took Cissie’s hand. ‘Now come this
way, missie, please,” he said; and he led her to a corner of