LEAVING HOME. ae

mother to ply her. needle. Not a word was spoken by
either.

“Mother, don’t you think it would be pleasanter to
have Robert here?” asked Jane.

“A great deal pleasanter,” said my mother, feelingly.

“Then he ought to stay, I think. It is only a fort-
night ! It will pass away very soon,” said Mary.

“And perhaps we may nevar be all together again,”
. added Jane.

As I looked at my father, I felt that there was little
‘Teason to expect a long continuance of the family circle
unbroken. Oh that I might stay!

_ At that moment we heard footsteps at the door, and
Charley entered. A hearty shaking of hands followed,
for he was a great favourite at our house,

“T want you to let Robert stay until after Thanks-
- giving, sir,” he said, turning his fine, fair face towards
my father. “It is too bad if he should go before!
Besides, a fortnight cannot make much difference.”

“Difference in what, Charles?” asked my father,

pleasantly surveying him.