THE TEA EOSE. 47 



what they really needed, and I have always been willing to do 

 that, w^hen I could without going far out of my w^ay." 



*' Well, cousin, if our Heavenly Father gave to us as w^e often 

 give, we should have only coarse shapeless piles of provision, lying 

 about the world, instead of all the beautiful variety of trees, fruits, 

 and flowers which now delight us." 



" Well, well, cousin, I suppose you are right, but pray have mercy 

 on my poor head; it is too small to hold so many new ideas at once; 

 even go on your own way:" and the little lady began practizing a 

 waltzing step before the glass with great satisfaction. 



PART II. 



It was a very small room, and lighted by only one window. 

 There was no carpet on the floor ; there was a clean but coarsely 

 covered bed in one corner; a cupboard with a few plates and 

 dishes in the other ; a chest of drawers ; and before the window 

 stood a small cherry stand, quite new, and indeed the only article 

 in the room that seemed so. A pale sickly looking woman of about 

 forty was leaning back in her rocking chair, her eyes closed, and 

 her lips compressed as if in pain. She rocked backw^ard and for- 

 ward a few moments, pressed her hand hard upon her eyes, and 

 then languidly resumed the fine stitching on which she had been 

 busy since morning. The door opened, and a slender little girl of 

 about twelve years of age entered, her large blue eyes dilated, and 

 absolutely mdiant with delight, as she held up the small vase w^th 

 the Rose-tree in it. 



" Oh see ! Mother, see ! there's one in full bloom, and two more 

 half out, beautiful buds ! " 



The poor woman's face brightened, as she looked first on the 

 Rose, and then on her sickly girl, on whose face she had not seen so 

 bright a colour for months. 



*' God bless her ! " said she, involuntarily. 



"• Miss Florence ! I knew you w^ould feel so, mother ; don't it 



