and would have run away, but the woman caught hold of my coat, and said, "No, generous boy! I will not take all the money, which I dare say was given you to spend at the fair; take back sixpence at least! your friends may even then think that you have given away too much."

"No, no;" cried I, half choked; but she persisted; and I could not, you know, mamma, tell her my papa and mamma were rich, could I?"

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No; it would have looked like boasting."-" So I thought; therefore I took back sixpence, knowing that I should tell you all about it, and that you would go or send to inquire into her wants; and so, followed by her blessings and her little boy's, I came away: but I did not

go back into the fair till I thought Alice would be uneasy at my absence, because I had no money remaining, except sixpence, and I did not like to own what I had done with the rest; so I took a walk round the fair, and a very pleasant walk it was; for though I was inclined to cry rather than to laugh, I felt very happy. Do you not understand me, mamma?"-" I do, I do;" she replied, clasping him to her breast.

My dear boy, you have made me so happy! and your father will be so happy! and I was so anxious before! But tell me, did you not thank the Almighty, before you slept, for having directed you to do this kind action."-"Oh yes, I did, again and again, mamma; but you will go and

see these poor people, will you not?" "Yes; I will go and see them; and you shall go with me, if your father can spare me."-" Certainly I will; no doubt the mother has seen BETTER DAYS, or she would not have had the delicate consideration to return the sixpence. And now tell me, Edward, art thou not quite as pleased, while recollecting what thou didst yesterday, as at the time of doing it?"-"Oh! quite, mamma."-" My poor boy," she then said, addressing Henry, "how I pity your feelings when you compare your adventures at the fair with your brothers, and your recollections of them with his; what are you this morning? Pale, weak, sick, spiritless! while he is alert,

blooming, happy! His pleasure of yesterday is as great a pleasure today! Yes, dear Edward, you also now know, from your own experience, what my observation meant; namely, that the only true pleasures are those which please on recollection.

BETTER DAYS

AND

BEST DAYS.

As her husband and the sick baby were both considerably better in the evening, Lady Pemberton being unwilling to defer the good which she intended, resolved to go directly to the distressed family.

Then, having filled a small basket with whatever she thought most needful for them, which she gratified Edward by allowing him to carry for her, she set off on her kind errand; Henry having leave to ac