"Well, you are the first person that has discovered that, I must say," replied Mrs. Stanleigh, in some surprise. "Of all the pettish, spoilt, ill-tempered children I ever saw, I think Edith is the worst.

the stupidity of her!"

And

"You don't mean it! I thought she was more than ordinarily sharp."

"Too sharp about things that are not fit for her, but about lessons she is either uncommonly lazy or a shocking dunce; but I could bear with all that, if only she was not so remarkably passionate and quicktempered. What Julia has to endure with her is incredible; and she is so sweet-tempered herself, that it is a peculiar trial to her. It is a disappointment to me, for I hoped that she would be a pleasant companion for the girls; but she is anything but that, and she really keeps them back in their lessons."

"Well, really, that seems odd.”

At this moment Dr. Stanleigh came in. 66 Talking over Edith, are you? Poor child, she is her own worst enemy. She seems determined to make herself miserable amongst us. I am sorry, for her father is one of my dearest friends, and I should have liked his child to be as happy as one of my own."

"Well, she was very jolly this afternoon, in spite of this disappointment about going to her aunt's;" and then Basil told of their walk, and of the triumph over the sum.

L

"You have worked a miracle in her, then," said the Doctor. "I'm sure you'll confer a public benefit if you will make her a little more contented with her home here."

"And instil into her some idea that it is her duty to put some energy into her lessons."

"Will you allow her occasionally to bring her books to my study, and let me see if I can give her any help?"

"Indeed I will, with the greatest pleasure, if she will not be a worry to you," said his mother. "On the 24th of January I expect Miss Applecross, the new governess, and if Edith was a little prepared for her, it would be a great boon."

for

66 Well, I am not sure that I can do much for her, young ladies' education is not much in my line; but I like the child, and I am sorry for her."

"You're a good fellow! Don't overwork yourself," said the doctor affectionately, laying his hand on his son's shoulder. And thus this scheme for Edith's

welfare was arranged.

147

CHAPTER X.

MAMMA'S FRIEND.

Linked with the scenes of days gone past,
With all life's earnest hopes and fears;
Linked with the smiles that did not last,
The joys and griefs of faded years."

H. BONAR.

"EDITH, are you inclined to come and pay a visit with me?" said Basil, looking into the school-room one morning, two or three days afterwards.

Mrs. Stanleigh and Edith were sitting together, Edith reading Goldsmith's "History of England" aloud, while Mrs. Stanleigh worked. At Basil's pleasant proposition Edith's eyes sparkled, and she looked appealingly for permission.

"Yes, you may go if you like," said Mrs. Stanleigh; and Edith flung down her book, and was running off to dress herself for her walk, when she was recalled to put the history away upon the shelf. She did so with a frown, and then went off with the utmost speed, fearing that she should be told to do something else. As soon as she was fairly outside the hall-door, she drew a long sigh of relief, and then

exclaimed, "O dear, dear, I wish Goldsmith had never lived."

"Poor Goldsmith," said Basil smiling.

"Well, if he had only kept his hands quiet, and not written that stupid history."

"You see he meant it for the good of the rising generation."

Well, I am sure the rising generation doesn't think so."

"That is not his fault."

Well, I don't see what good English history will do me in teaching the savages with papa."

Basil knew what good it could do her, but he did not like to say; and he only laughed, and whistled a few bars of a tune.

"Where are we going, Mr. Basil?" asked Edith, seeing that he did not feel inclined to settle her difficulty about the History.

"To see Mrs. Cleve, a great friend of mine."

"Oh! I know, Marian told me about her; but I don't see Here she stopped abruptly.

"What don't you see?"

"I don't like to say it now."

"Yes; tell me, please."

"I was going to say, I don't see how old ladies and big boys can be friends."

Basil laughed heartily at this speech; but then said, more gravely, "I will tell you how we came to

be friends; but I cannot answer for it as a rule. Mrs. Cleve's only son, Arthur, was at school with me; he was several years older, and very clever, by far the cleverest boy in the school; but he was extremely reserved, and some of the fellows thought him awfully proud. One time it came in his way to get me out of a row, and then he made friends with me. I have been thankful ever since that I had such a friend even for a short time. The scarlet fever broke out in the school. I took it, and was put in the sick ward; the first boy that joined me there was Arthur Cleve; we were ill together. I had it the worst of the two; but I was jolly strong, and I got through. Arthur's weakly constitution gave way; they sent for his mother, and she arrived just in time to get one smile from him before he died. But he had spoken a great deal to me, as I lay in the next bed to him; sent messages to her by me; begged me to be as much like a son to her as I could; and, andBasil's lips quivered, and his voice was rather unsteady as he concluded his story-" and said words to me which I can't forget words whichBut he said no more.

Edith looked up at him with eyes full of sympathy.

"This is what makes Mrs. Cleve fond of me, I believe," said Basil; "and she is so nice, and so kind, that I cannot help being fond of her. But