file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #ddggj-;h4htm or #ddggj-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/cache_/epu b_/#ddggj_/pg#ddggj-;images4html7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/files_/#dd ggj_/ddggj-;h4zip7 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive4 ,see https3_/_/archive4org_/details_/daisyswo rkthirdc#jjmathiala ,,daisy',s ,,work4 ,illustration ,,flowerets4 ,illustration 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,flowerets4 ,a ,,series ,,of ,,stories ,,on ,,the ,,commandments4 ,,by ,,joanna ,h4 ,,mathews1 ,author of the ,bessie ,books4 ,i4 ,,violet',s ,,idol4 ,,the ,,first ,,and ,,second ,,commandments #j4ge ,,ii4 ,,daisy',s ,,work4 ,,the ,,third ,,commandment #j4ge ,,iii4 ,,rose',s ,,temptation4 ,,the ,,fourth ,,commandment #j4ge ,,iv4 ,,lily',s ,,lesson4 ,,the ,,fifth ,,commandment #j4ge ,v4 ,,hyacinthe ,,and ,,her ,,brothers4 ,,the ,,sixth ,,commandment #j4ge ,,vi4 ,,pinkie ,,and ,,the ,,rabbits4 ,,the ,,eighth1 ,,ninth1 ,,and ,,tenth ,,commandments #j4ge ,the set in a neat box1 #d4ej4 ,,robert ,,carter ,,and ,,brothers1 ,new ,york4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,illustration ,,daisy',s ,,work4 ,the ,third ,commandment4 by ,,joanna ,h4 ,,mathews1 ,author of the ,bessie ,books4 ,thou shalt not take the name of the ,lord thy ,god in vain2 for the ,lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain4 ,let your communication be yea1 yea1 and nay1 nay2 for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil4 ,illustration ,new ,york3 ,robert ,carter and ,brothers1 #ecj1 ,broadway4 #ahgj4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahgj1 by ,robert ,carter and ,brothers1 ,in the ,office of the ,librarian of ,congress1 at ,washington4 ,cambridge3 ,press of ,john ,wilson and ,son4 ,illustration ,,to ,,my ,,dear ,,little ,,cousin1 ,,lulu ,,chauncey4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,contents4 ,,page ,i4 ,,the ,,little ,,flower-,,girl #aa ,,ii4 ,a ,,cluster ,,of ,,daisies #ce ,,iii4 ,,the ,,daisy ,,transplanted #fc ,,iv4 ,,daisy',s ,,sister ,,flowerets #he ,v4 ,,daisy ,,at ,,study #ajg ,,vi4 ,,daisy ,a ,,teacher #abg ,,vii4 ,,the ,,swearing ,,class #aea ,,viii4 ,,daisy',s ,,name #aha ,,ix4 ,,the ,,lost ,,found #bja ,illustration ,illustration ,,the ,,little ,,flower-,,girl4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,daisy',s ,,work4 ,i4 ,,the ,,little ,,flower-,,girl4 ,,there stood our ,daisy4 ,what a ,daisy it was too2 what a fair1 sweet floweret2 pure and innocent-looking as the blossoms over which she bent4 ,there she stood beside her basket of flowers1 a little spot of brightness and beauty amidst all the dust and heat and turmoil of the noisy street1 on that warm summer afternoon4 ,it was a street which ran beside a great railroad depot4 ,porters1 carmen1 and hackmen were calling1 shouting1 and swearing2 passengers were hurrying by to catch the trains which were starting every few minutes2 carriages driving up with their loads of ladies and children2 and farther down the street were great trucks laden with freight1 and express-wagons filled with baggage1 which the railroad porters were unloading with a great amount of noise and crash2 and amongst it all was ,daisy1 standing opposite the door of the ladies' entrance4 ,but not one of all those passers-by knew that she was a ,daisy1 or that those were her namesakes which she held so lovingly in her little hands4 ,now and then one stopped to buy one of the five or ten cent bouquets1 so tastefully arranged1 which lay in her basket2 and almost all who did so had a kind word to give the child2 for there was something in her look and air which pleaded for tenderness and sympathy4 ,it did not seem that this was her proper place2 for even in her homely dress she looked so dainty and delicate1 and moved and spoke so like a little lady1 that it was easy to see that she had been accustomed to a different kind of life4 ,but all who noticed her1 or stopped to buy her flowers1 were in such haste that none had time for more than a passing interest in the child1 and contented themselves with wondering and pitying4 ,down the street came a lady with a little girl1 the latter skipping and jumping as she held her mother's hand4 ,no wonder the little one was happy1 and as full of play and merry pranks as any kitten2 for she had been spending such a pleasant day with mamma in the city1 and was now going back with such lots to tell about and heaps of pretty things to her own lovely country home4 ,oh1 see1 mamma6 she said1 as her eye fell upon the other child1 see those pretty flowers that dear little girl is selling4 ,she is just about as large as ,lola ,swan1 and don't she look nice and sweet4 ,won't you buy some flowers from her1 mamma8 ,you have plenty of flowers at home1 dear ,lily1 and we have about as much as we can carry now1 answered her mother4 ,oh1 dear mamma1 but those little brenkays 7bouquets1 ,lily meant7 would take up such a tiny mite of room1 and ,i want you to buy some for kindness to the little girl4 ,she looks so sorry out of her eyes1 mamma4 ,moved by the pleadings of her little daughter1 ,mrs4 ,ward turned toward the flower-girl1 whom in her hurry she had nearly passed without a look1 and asked the price of her bouquets4 ,what a pretty pot of daisies6 ,can't ,i have that1 mamma8 asked ,lily4 ,but at this the flower-girl drew back and put one hand over the pot of daisies she held in the other1 as if she feared it was to be taken from her by force4 ,i'll ask papa to carry them for me1 mamma1 said ,lily4 ,ho6 ho6 said a cheery voice behind her1 so you think papa has nothing better to do than turn expressman and carry all your traps1 do you8 ,i wonder how many bundles are already waiting in the depot for me to put safely in the cars2 and turning about ,lily saw her father1 who had overtaken his wife and little girl4 ,oh6 lots and lots6 said ,lily1 jumping about with new glee as she saw him4 ,we bought something for everybody1 papa2 and ,i bought a present for your birthday to-morrow2 but it is a secret4 ,mamma is going to fill it with ink and ,i'll put it on your writing-table 'fore you come down in the morning2 but you won't ask what it is1 will you8 ,not on any account1 said ,mr4 ,ward4 ,but you must make haste and buy your flowers1 or we shall not find good seats in the cars4 ,so you want these daisies1 do you8 ,how much are they1 my child8 ,but again the flower-girl drew back4 ,i couldn't sell them1 sir1 she said2 at least not now1 not if1---- ,oh6 they are for some favorite customer1 hey8 ,you see1 ,lily1 you can't have them4 ,well1 pick out your bouquets2 we'll hang them about our necks if we can't carry them any other way1 said ,mr4 ,ward4 ,this is the little girl ,i told you about1 my dear1 turning to his wife1 who had been looking at the sweet1 sad face of the young flower vender4 ,what is your name1 my child8 asked the lady4 ,my name is--they call me ,margaret1 said the child1 with hesitation in her voice and manner1 and a sudden flush breaking over her face4 ,there1 said ,mr4 ,ward1 when1 having paid for the flowers which ,lily had chosen1 he hurried his wife and daughter away2 there1 my dear1 ,i did not say too much about that child1 did ,i8 ,why no1 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 looking back to the small figure beside its basket of flowers1 there is certainly something very interesting about her4 ,her speech and manner1 as well as her looks1 are strangely refined and lady-like for one in her position4 ,i wish we had time to talk more to her4 ,the flower-girl looked after them and sighed1--a long1 weary sigh1 as she watched the frolicsome ,lily4 ,most all little girls have their fathers and mothers1 she said softly to herself2 but ,i don't have either4 ,i wonder why ,god did take both of mine away2 if ,he didn't know how lonesome ,i would be1 or why ,he didn't take me too4 ,i don't see what good ,i can be to ,him all alone by myself1 except ,betty and ,jack4 ,but then ,he knows1 and maybe ,he only wants me to be patient till ,he's ready to take me4 ,illustration ,but the wistful eyes brightened again1 as1 having watched ,lily and her friends disappear within the door of the depot1 she turned them the other way to see if new customers were coming4 ,there he comes1 she said1 as her eye fell upon a tall1 broad-shouldered gentleman coming down the street1 soldier written in every line and motion of his figure1 from the erect1 stately head1 down to the ringing1 military tread of his firm foot4 ,good afternoon1 little woman1 he said1 returning with a pleasant smile her welcoming look2 is my wife's bouquet all ready8 ,taking from the corner of her basket a bouquet somewhat larger than the rest1 and of rather choicer flowers1 she held it up to him4 ,thank you1 sir1 she said1 as she received the price2 and then1 with rising color1 added1 would it be too much trouble to carry this to the lady8 ,too much trouble8 ,no6 ,how much is it8 he said1 putting his hand again into his pocket4 ,oh6 sir1 ,i didn't mean that4 ,i didn't want to sell it1 but to give it to you1 if you would take it to the lady you buy flowers for every day4 ,i want to send it to her because you are so kind to me1 and because--because you put me in mind of--of somebody4 ,that is it1 is it8 said the gentleman4 ,well1 ,i can't refuse such a pretty gift1 so prettily offered4 ,and who do ,i put you in mind of1 pray8 ,of my papa1 sir4 ,you do look like him4 ,humph6 said the gentleman1 not much pleased at the idea that he was like the father of this little poor child1 above her station though she looked4 ,and these are daisies1 hey8 ,my wife will like them4 ,general1 do you mean to miss the train8 said an acquaintance1 as he passed4 ,not with my own consent1 certainly1 said the gentleman4 ,i shall thank you for the lady to-morrow1 my little girl4 ,but as he turned to go1 his foot slipped upon a piece of orange-peel1 thrown down by some careless person1 and he had nearly fallen4 ,he would have been down altogether but for his little companion2 but as he involuntarily put out his hand1 she caught it2 and that support1 frail and slight as it was1 was sufficient to steady him4 ,kind of heart1 noble and generous though he was1 the soldier was hasty-tempered and quick1 and an oath--a fearful oath--burst from his lips4 ,ah1 you were my good angel4 ,you have saved me from a bad fall1 he said almost in the same breath1 but in a very different tone and manner1 as he turned to the child4 ,his good angel6 ,ah1 yes6 ,more than he knew1 his good angel4 ,those little hands should from this time hold him from falling into the sin of which he had just been guilty4 ,years ago ,general ,forster would have been shocked at the thought of letting such words escape his lips1 though even then he was none too reverent or careful in speaking of sacred persons or things2 but in the bustle and excitement of war he had1 alas6 like many another brave man1 allowed himself to fall into the habit of taking ,god's holy name in vain4 ,but careless though he might be before men in moments of forgetfulness1 or when his hasty temper got the better of him1 he seldom or never suffered himself to use such words before women or children2 why1 you shall learn4 ,why1 have ,i hurt you8 he asked1 seeing with surprise her startled and troubled face4 ,no1 sir1 oh6 no1 she answered1 catching her breath1 but1 but-- ,well1 but what8 ,but ,i am so sorry2 and that she was so was proved1 as she covered her face with her hands and burst into tears4 ,sorry for what8 he asked4 ,she gave him no answer1 but shrank a little away4 ,sorry for what8 he repeated1 as if determined to know2 and the tone of command1 which seemed to say he was used to instant obedience1 forced her to speak1 whether she would or no4 ,sorry for those words you said1 sir1 she sobbed4 ,those words8 ,what words8 ,but his question answered itself as it was spoken2 for his wicked words1 which but for this would have been forgotten the next instant1 came back to him1 and he stood rebuked before this poor little flower-girl4 ,he repented already2 but repented only because he had distressed this simple child1 in whom he took so much interest1 not yet because he had grieved and offended the ,holy ,one whose name he had profaned4 ,still he was vexed too4 ,why1 you don't mean to say1 he said rather impatiently1 that you never hear such words as those1 standing here as you do1 half the day1 with those rough men and boys about you8 ,oh1 yes1 sir6 she said1 plaintively4 ,i do hear such words1 often1 often4 ,i try not to2 but ,i can't help it1 you see2 and it makes me so sorry4 ,but ,i thought those poor men and boys could not know how to read1 and had never been taught better1 or perhaps they did not know what ,god had said in ,his commandments4 ,but ,i did not think gentlemen said such things2 and ,i liked you so much4 ,and did she like him less now8 ,he1 the gentleman1 the rich man1 felt that he could not wish to lose the respect and liking of this little child whom he thought so far beneath him1 and he was ashamed and sorry4 ,he knew that it was not impertinence1 but only her innocent simplicity and truthfulness1 which had caused her to say what she did4 ,but to know that he was in the wrong and to acknowledge it1 were one and the same thing with this true-hearted man4 ,you are right1 ,margaret1 he said1 forgetting how fast the moments were flying4 ,gentlemen should not say such things1 especially before ladies and children4 ,it is bad manners2 but ,i forgot myself just then4 ,she took her hands from her face and looked up at him4 ,there was an unspoken question in the clear1 earnest eyes1 and it was plain that she was not yet satisfied4 ,well1 he said smiling at her1 what troubles you still8 ,let me have it all4 ,i was only thinking what difference could it make1 sir4 ,what difference could what make8 ,whether it was ladies and children who heard it1 sir1 she answered timidly4 ,god hears it all the same1 doesn't ,he8 ,and it can't make any difference to ,him who else hears it4 ,she looked up as she spoke at the blue sky overhead1 and the look and the words brought to him a sudden sense of ,god's constant presence and nearness4 ,he had known it well enough before1--that the ,almighty ,eye saw him always2 that the ,almighty ,ear heard him always2 but he had never felt it as he did now4 ,the gentle1 timid reproof had gone far deeper than the little giver had intended1 and her hearer felt ashamed that he had confessed to her that he would pay a respect to a woman or child which he did not feel it needful to pay to his ,maker4 ,he could make her no answer4 ,you behind time1 ,general8 said the voice of another friend as he hurried past2 and the scream of the warning whistle told the gentleman that he had no time to lose4 ,i'll see you to-morrow4 ,good-by1 my child4 ,god bless you1 he said hurriedly1 and rushed away4 ,but just in time2 he was the last passenger1 and stepped upon the platform of a car as the train was put in motion4 ,the jar threw him once more a little off his balance1 and he caught by the rail to save himself1 while again hasty1 profane words rose to his lips4 ,but they did not pass them4 ,what though no human ear should hear2 ,god heard them all the same1 and they were checked before even the summer wind could catch them2 and in their place the angels carried up the heart-breathed prayer1 ,god keep me from them in time to come4 ,his next neighbor in the cars thought ,general ,forster remarkably silent and unsociable that afternoon4 ,he would not talk1 but buried himself behind his newspaper4 ,if the neighbor had looked closer he would have seen that the ,general's eyes were fixed1 not on the paper held before his face1 but on the little pot of daisies which rested on his knee4 ,and over the delicate pink and white blossoms was breathed a vow1--a vow registered in heaven and faithfully kept on earth4 ,illustration ,a ,,cluster ,,of ,,daisies4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,ii4 ,a ,,cluster ,,of ,,daisies4 ,,what are you thinking of1 ,frank8 said ,mrs4 ,forster1 looking at her husband as he stood leaning against the casing of the window1 gazing thoughtfully out at the lovely garden beyond4 ,of a bad habit of mine1 he answered4 ,you have none2 at least none that ,i cannot put up with1 she said playfully4 ,that's not the question1 dear ,gertrude1 he returned gravely4 ,it is whether my ,maker can put up with it1 and ,i believe that ,he cannot1 since he has said ,he 'will not hold him guiltless that taketh ,his name in vain4' ,mrs4 ,forster colored as she bent her head over the sleeping baby on her lap4 ,you did not know1 perhaps1 her husband said1 after a minute's silence1 that ,i was ever guilty of this--sin8 ,i did know it1 ,frank2 at least ,i have heard you now and then1 when you were speaking to your dogs and horses1 or even when you were a little impatient with the men4 ,but you did not mean me to hear such words2 and ,i noticed you never used them in my presence4 ,no1 he said a little sadly3 ,i would not speak in my wife's presence words which were not fit for her to hear2 but ,i forgot an ear still purer1 which ,i was insulting and defying4 ,that is the second thrust ,i have had to-day1 ,gertrude1 which has made me feel that ,i have treated the ,almighty with less of reverence and respect than ,i would show to some of my fellow-creatures4 ,let me tell you of the innocent lesson ,i received from the little flower-girl1 who sent the daisies to you4 ,and sitting down beside her1 he told her of the teaching which had come to him from the little wayside blossom2 to whose lonely1 thirsting heart his few kind words and smiles had been as drops of dew from heaven4 ,but even while they talked of her and her pretty lady-like ways and sayings1 which seemed so far above her station1 they did not know she was a ,daisy1 and that those were her namesakes over which ,mrs4 ,forster bent1 dropping happy tears and kisses on them1 mingled with many a blessing on the little giver4 ,plucking one of the flowers from the stem1 she opened her baby's tiny hand and placed it within it4 ,the fairy fingers closed around it1 clasping it tight1 while the unconscious little one slept on4 ,her name is ,gertrude1 but we'll call her ,daisy1 ,frank1 as soon as she is old enough to be called any thing but baby1 said the young mother1 and her pretty pet name may serve as a reminder of this day's lesson1 if ever it should be forgotten4 ,you think ,i may need it1 said her husband1 smiling4 ,i trust not2 for the sin1 to say nothing of the vulgarity1 of taking ,god's name in vain1 has been set forth so plainly by my innocent little teacher1 that ,i must have a short memory1 indeed1 if ,i failed to remember her lesson4 ,she thought gentlemen must know better4 ,but1 dear1 said the lady1 you said you would inquire about this child1 and see if we could not be of some use to her4 ,so ,i did1 he answered2 and so ,i will1 and should have done long since2 but day after day ,i have let business or pleasure keep me till ,i had but just time to catch the train1 and none to bestow on the poor little creature who seems to have been so grateful for the few kind words ,i have given her4 ,you think ,i am rather fanciful about this child1 ,i know1 ,gertrude2 but ,i am convinced that some of her few years must have been spent among different people than those by whom she is now surrounded4 ,nor am ,i the only one of her customers who has noticed the grace of her speech and manners1 so uncommon in a child of her class4 ,ward1 and others beside1 have seen it2 but like myself have never made it their business to see after her4 ,however1 to-morrow afternoon1 ,i shall make it a point to be at the depot in time to have a talk with her4 ,i wonder if the woman who keeps the fruit-stall at the corner1 and whose child ,i believe she is1 would give her up and let her go to school4 ,he was as good as his word2 and more than an hour earlier than usual1 our little flower-girl saw her gentleman coming down the street towards the depot4 ,it was an eager1 wistful little face1 with some questioning fear in it1 that she raised to him1 for she was anxious lest she should have offended her kind friend1 as she had learned to think him1 by her plain speech of the day before4 ,she had scarcely meant to speak so plainly2 the words had seemed to escape her without her intending it1 and1 it was true1 had been drawn forth by the gentleman's own questions2 but when she remembered them afterwards she feared that he would think her rude and disrespectful4 ,she need not have been afraid4 ,his eye and voice were even kinder than usual as he came near to her1 and he laid his hand gently on her head1 saying1-- ,well1 my little woman6 and how does the world go with you to-day8 ,the lady told me to thank you very much for the daisies4 ,the young face brightened4 ,did she like them1 sir8 ,very much indeed1--all the more because she has a little one at home whom she is going to call ',daisy' after your pretty flowers4 ,is she your little girl1 sir8 ,yes1 she is a mite of a ,daisy1 but a very precious one1 he answered2 then looking into the flushed face1 with its soft1 shining eyes and parted lips1 he added1 ,you are a ,daisy yourself4 ,the flowers she held dropped at her feet unheeded as she clasped both hands upon her breast1 and with quick-coming breath and filling eyes1 asked eagerly1 ,how did you know it1 sir8 how did you know it8 ,know what1 my child8 ,what troubles you8 ,how did you know ,i was ,daisy8 she almost gasped4 ,i did not know it1 he answered in surprise4 ,is your name ,daisy8 ,i thought it was ,margaret4 ,they call me ,margaret1 sir1--,betty and ,jack2 but ,daisy is my own1 own name1 that papa and mamma called me1 she answered1 recovering herself a little4 ,and where are your papa and mamma8 he asked4 ,i thought the woman who keeps the fruit-stall at the corner was your mother4 ,oh1 no1 sir6 she said4 ,she is only ,betty4 ,she is very good to me1 but she is not mamma4 ,mamma was a lady1 she added1 with simple1 childish dignity1 which told that she was a lady herself4 ,but where are your father and mother8 he repeated1 with fresh interest in the child4 ,mamma is drowned1 sir2 and we could never find papa1 she answered1 with such pathos in her tones4 ,come into the depot with me1 said ,general ,forster3 ,i want to talk to you4 ,she obeyed1 and1 taking up her basket1 followed him into the waiting-room1 where1 heedless of the many curious eyes around1 he made her sit down beside him1 and drew from her her sad1 simple story3--how long1 long ago she had lived with papa and mamma and her little brother and baby sister in their own lovely home1 far away from here2 where it was1 she did not know1 but in quite a different place from the great bustling city which she had never seen till she came here with ,betty and ,jack2 how she had left home with mamma and the baby on a great ship1 where to go she could not remember2 how ,betty was on board1 and mamma had been kind to her2 how a dreadful storm had come and there was great confusion and terror2 and then it seemed as if she went to sleep for a long1 long time1 and knew nothing more till she found herself living with ,betty and ,jack in their poor home far up in the city4 ,they had been very good to her1 nursing and caring for her during the many months she had been weak and ailing2 and now that she was stronger and better1 she tried to help them all she could1 keeping the two small rooms tidy1 while ,betty was away attending to her stall2 and in the afternoon selling the flowers which ,jack raised in his little garden1 and she arranged in tasteful bouquets4 ,and1 lastly1 she told how from the very first time she had seen ,general ,forster1 she thought he looked so like papa that she felt as if she must love him1 and was so happy when he stopped to buy flowers of her and spoke kindly to her4 ,the story was told with a straightforward and simple pathos1 which went right to the listener's heart1 and left him no doubt of its truth4 ,but the child could tell nothing of her own name or her parents'1 save that she was always called ,daisy at home1 and that she had never since heard the familiar name until to-day1 when she thought this stranger had given it to her4 ,betty and ,jack always called her ,margaret2 and ,betty thought she knew mamma's name1 but she did not4 ,but she loved daisies dearly for the sake of their name1 which had been her own2 and she had raised and tended with loving care the little plant she had given to my gentleman as a token of gratitude for his kindness1 and because he was so like papa4 ,having learned all that he could from the child herself1 the gentleman went to the fruit-woman on the corner4 ,so1 he said1 the little girl whom you call ,margaret is not your own daughter8 ,indade1 no1 sir1 answered ,betty2 niver a daughter of me own have ,i barrin' ,jack1 and he's not me own at all1 but jist me sister's son what died1 lavin' him a babby on me hands4 ,more betoken that it's not a little lady like her that the likes of me would be raisin'1 unless she'd none of her own to do it4 ,will you tell me how that came about8 ,betty told the story in her turn1 in as plain and simple a manner as the child's1 though in language far different4 ,her husband had been steward on a sailing vessel running between ,new ,orleans and ,new ,york2 and about three years ago1 she1 being sick and ordered change of air1 had been allowed to go with him for the voyage4 ,but it made her worse instead of better2 and on the return trip she would have died1 ,betty declared1 if it had not been for the kindness and tender nursing of a lady1 ,margaret's mother4 ,this lady--her name had been ,saacyfut1 she believed1 but maybe she disremembered intirely1 for ,margaret said it was not--was on her way to ,new ,york with her little girl who was sick1 a baby1 and a ,french nurse2 but her home was neither there nor in ,new ,orleans1--at least so the child afterwards said4 ,her own account of the storm was the same as the child's2 but while the recollection of the little one could go no further1 ,betty remembered only too well the horrors of that day4 ,when it was found that the ship must sink1 and that all on board must leave her1 there had been1 as the little girl said1 great confusion4 ,how it was1 ,betty could not exactly tell2 she had been placed in one boat1 the ,french nurse1 with the child in her arms1 beside her2 and the lady was about to follow with the infant1 when a spar fell1 striking the ,frenchwoman on the head and killing her instantly1 knocking overboard one of the three sailors who were in the boat1--while at the same time the boat was parted from the ship and at the mercy of the raging waves4 ,in vain did the two sailors who were left try to regain the ship3 they were swept further and further away1 and soon lost sight of the vessel4 ,they drifted about all night1 and the next morning were taken up by a fishing-smack which brought them to ,new ,york4 ,fright and exposure and other hardships1 while they seemed to have cured ,betty1 were too much for the poor little girl1 and a long and terrible illness followed3 after which she lay for months1 too weak to move or speak1 and appearing to have lost all memory and sense4 ,and when at last she grew better and stronger1 and reason and recollection came back1 she could not tell the name of her parents or her home4 ,margaret ,saacyfut1 ,betty persisted in saying the ,french nurse had called her little charge1 ,mamsell ,margaret1 and if the lady's name wasn't ,saacyfut it was mightily nigh to it4 ,marguerite had been the ,french woman's name for ,daisy3 that the ,general saw plainly enough1 but he could make nothing of the surname4 ,but did you not seek for the child's friends1 ,betty8 he asked4 ',deed did ,i1 sir1 she answered4 ,didn't ,i even advertise her1 an' how she was to be heerd of1 but all to no good4 ,an' ,i writ to ,new ,orleans to them what owned the ship1 but they were that oncivil they niver answered1 not they4 ,an' it took a hape of money1 sir1 to be payin' the paper1 an' me such hard work to get along1 an' ,margaret on me hands1 an' ,i had to be done with it4 ,for ye see me man was gone wid the ship1 an' niver heerd of along wid the rest to this day2 an' ,i had to use up the bit he'd put by in the savin's bank till the child was mendin' enough for me to lave her wid ,jack4 ,it was a very generous thing for you to burden yourself with the care of her1 said ,general ,forster4 ,burden is it1 sir8 ,niver a burden was she1 the swate lamb1 not even when the sense had left her4 ,an' that was what the neighbors was always a sayin'1 and why didn't ,i put her in the hospital4 ,an' why would ,i do that after the mother of her savin' me from a buryin' in the say1 which ,i niver could abide4 ,for sure if it hadn't been for the lady ,i'd 'a died on the ould ship1 and they'd 'a chucked me overboard widout sayin' by your lave2 and sure ,i'd niver have got over such a buryin' as that all the days of me life4 ,and would ,i be turnin' out her child afther that8 ,an' isn't she payin' me for it now1 an' 'arnin' her livin1' an' mine too8 ,she an' ,jack tends the bit of a garden1 an' arternoons she comes down an' sells her flowers1 an' where'd be the heart to refuse her wid her pretty ways and nice manners2 a lady every inch of her1 like her mother before her4 ,and thrusting her head out from her stall1 ,betty gazed down the street with admiring affection on her young protge4 ,och6 but she's the jewel of a child1 she went on2 and it is surprisin' how me and ,jack is improved and become ginteel all along of her4 ,ye see1 sir1 ,i did use to say a hape of words that maybe wer'n't jist so2 not that ,i meant 'em for swearin'1 but it was jist a way of spakin'4 ,but after ,margaret began to mend and get about1 ye would have thought she was kilt intirely if ,i let one out of me mouth4 ,so seein' how it hurted her1 ,i jist minded what ,i was about1 an' ,jack the same1 for he was a boy that swore awful1 poor fellow2 he'd been left to himself1 and how was he to know better8 ,at first him and me minded our tongues1 for that the child shouldn't be hurted2 but by and by didn't she make it plain to us that it was the great ,lord himself what we was offendin'1 and knowin' she'd been tached better nor me1 ,i jist heeded her4 ,and now1 sir1 them words that ,i never thought no harm of and used to come so aisy1 ,i jist leave them out of me spache widout troublin'2 and a deal better it sounds1 and widout doubt more plasin' to ,him that's above4 ,and ,jack the same mostly1 though he does let one slip now and agin4 ,so ye see1 sir1 it's not a burden she is at all1 at all1 but jist a little bit of light and comfort to the house that houlds her4 ,glad to find a listener in a gintleman the likes of him1 ,betty had talked away to the gentlemen1 so taken up with her story1 that she paid little heed to the business of her stall4 ,she made wrong change more than once1 gave quarts instead of pints1 oranges in place of apples1 and peanuts for sugar-plums1 and provoked some impatient customers not a little2 while one wicked boy1 seeing her attention was taken up with something else1 ran off without paying for the pop-corn he asked for1 and was not called back4 ,but ,betty lost nothing by the time and thought she had given to the gentleman1 or the interest she had shown in her young charge1 as she found when she looked at the number upon the note he slipped into her hand when he left her3 a note which the warm-hearted ,irishwoman laid by to buy that new gown and pair of shoes ,margaret needed so bad4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,the ,,daisy ,,transplanted4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,iii4 ,,the ,,daisy ,,transplanted4 ,,betty1 said ,general ,forster1 stopping the next morning at the fruit-woman's stall1 could you make up your mind to give up that little girl if you were sure it was for her good8 ,betty sighed and shook her head mournfully as she answered1-- ,i've always looked to give her up1 sir1 if them ,saacyfuts1 or whatever their name'll be1 turned up1 and if it was for her good1 sorra a word would they hear out of me1 though ,i won't say but it would go hard with me and ,jack4 ,but ye'll not be tellin' me ye've been findin' her friends since last night1 sir8 ,not the people she belongs to1 certainly1 ,betty2 but ,i have found those who will be friends to her1 and provide for her1 if you will consent4 ,she should go to school and be well taught3 do you not think so8 ,indade1 an' there's none knows that better nor meself1 sir4 ,an' is it yerself that's the friend ye're spakin' of8 and ,betty gave a searching look into the gentleman's face4 ,he smiled4 ,yes1 he said3 ,i would like to put her to school and take care of her4 ,she seems a sweet child1 and a good one4 ,and you see1 ,betty1 ,i have it in my power to do more to find her friends than you are able to do1 and we may trace them yet4 ,if we never find them1 ,i will promise to provide for her as long as it may be necessary4 ,are you willing8 ,betty again stared into the face of her questioner as if she would look him through4 ,i'm sinsible of your kindness1 sir1 she answered2 but ye see ,i'm in a way risponsible for the child1 not to say that she is as dear to me as me own flesh and blood1 and ,i'd say 'yis1' and thank ye kindly1 but--ye'll excuse me plain spakin'--ye're a stranger to me1 and ,i couldn't be partin' wid ,margaret widout ,i was certified as to yer karacter4 ,for if ,i didn't think she'd be brought up right1 niver a foot should she stir to go wid ye4 ,i seen ,miss ,gertrude ,allston a walkin' wid ye once last summer1 sir1 jist after ,i set up me stand here1 but she niver heeded me wid her swate face4 ,but ,i used to be laundress in her mother's house afore ,i was married1 and a swate child was ,miss ,gertrude and a good as ye're sayin' of ,margaret1 and she'll niver go far wrong1 ,i'll answer for it4 ,so1 if ye'll jist bring me a line from her and she says ye're all right1 ,i'll not say ye nay4 ,general ,forster laughed heartily1 not one whit offended at ,betty's plain spakin'4 ,miss ,gertrude ,allston1 as you call her1 will give me all the lines you want1 ,betty2 and she thought me right enough to marry me4 ,she is my wife1--,mrs4 ,forster4 ,an' is it so1 sir8 said ,betty1 dropping the rosy-cheeked apple she was polishing1 and gazing at the gentleman with a mixture of curiosity and admiration that was droll to see4 ,well1 but ye're in luck2 and if it's ,miss ,gertrude that has the managin' of ye1 that's karacter enough of itself1 an' ,i'll say take the child an' my blessin' on all of yees4 ,but when she gets among yer fine folks1 ye'll not let her be forgettin' the woman what cared for her when there was none else to do it3 will ye1 sir8 ,an' ye'll be lettin' me see her once in a while8 ,there is no need to say that this was readily promised1 and the ,general went on to tell ,betty what plans he and his wife had for ,daisy4 ,she was to be taken for a while to his home1 where ,mrs4 ,forster would provide her with proper clothing2 and then send her to ,miss ,collins' boarding-school to be taught and trained in a way to satisfy her friends if they should ever find her1 or that she might one day be able to earn her own living1 if it should be needful4 ,an' ,i'm glad she should have the bringin' up of a lady which is what ,i couldn't give her1 said ,betty1 with another sigh1 for it went to her heart to part with her darling2 but ye'll not be able to make her more of a lady nor she is now2 no1 not if ye dress her in gould and jewels1 an' silks an' satins4 ,niver a rough word nor way has she with her1 if she has been with me and ,jack more nor two year1 nor ye couldn't find a purtier behaved child in all the land4 ,an hour or two later1 ,betty1 having found a friend to mind her stall for her1 guided ,general ,forster to the tiny house in the suburbs of the city where she lived with ,daisy and ,jack4 ,the two children were out in the little garden gathering the flowers which were to be tied up in bouquets for ,daisy's afternoon sale2 and great was their surprise1 when the sound of the gate-latch causing them to look up1 they saw ,betty coming home at this unusual hour of the day1 and the gentleman with her4 ,their business was soon told2 but although ,daisy flushed and smiled with astonishment and delight when she heard what the gentleman who looked so like papa meant to do for her1 the little face soon shadowed over again1 and she shook her head gently but firmly when she was asked if she would go4 ,an' why for no1 dear8 asked ,betty4 ,sure ye'd niver be for throwin' away a chance the likes of that1 not to spake of it's bein' ongrateful to the gintleman's kindness1 an' he no more nor less than the husband of ,miss ,gertrude4 ,but ,daisy shook her head again2 and then first begging the gentleman's pardon1 as a polite little girl should do1 stepped up to her faithful friend1 and putting her arms about her neck whispered something in her ear4 ,the tears she had before with trouble kept back now started to ,betty's eyes4 ,och1 an' is it that1 honey8 she said in her broadest brogue1 an' ye'll not let that be thrubblin' yer dear heart4 ,what a tinder1 grateful little sowl it is6 ,ye see1 sir1 she went on1 turning to the ,general1 while she smoothed with her loving hand the little head which lay upon her breast1 ye see1 sir1 it's just as ,i tellt ye4 ,she's a lady1 every inch of her1 an' has feelin's that's jist oncommon4 ,an' there's a matter of back rint jew1 it's more'n a year1 though me landlord he's as good as gould1 an' a bill at the poticary's1 an' little scores at the baker's an' grocers what ,i niver got paid off yet1 not since the child was sick an' ,i couldn't rightly make things go2 an' she says she won't be lavin' us now that she can turn a penny wid her posies an' help along4 ,drawing the child to him1 ,general ,forster whispered to her in his turn1 promising that the back rint and other scores should be paid off without delay if she would but come with him2 and ,daisy1 feeling herself nearer home and friends than she had ever done since the dreadful day of the shipwreck1 when she was parted from mamma1 put her hand trustingly in his to be led where he would4 ,but the parting went hard4 ,daisy could not leave those who had been so kind1 and shared their little all with her1 without many a bitter tear4 ,betty kissed her and clung to her and called down all heaven's blessings on her head2 and ,jack hung over the gate1 uttering frantic howls as he watched the sobbing child led away by her new protector4 ,not one thought gave ,jack to his fourteen years2 not one to the fellers from beyant the lot1 who1 drawn by his cries1 came flocking to see what ailed him who was all their terror and admiration3 their admiration1 because he was bigger1 stronger1 braver than any other boy of his age among their crew2 their terror1 because of late he allowed no bad word to be used in his presence1 banishing all who offended in that way from their games1 choosing as his favorites and chief companions those who were most careful not to take ,god's name in vain4 ,so cursing and swearing had come to be much less frequent than of old among the lanes and lots lying around the humble house where the little ,daisy had bloomed and grown during the last two years1 dropping upon the path which ,god had chosen for her good seed of which she knew not herself4 ,betty went back to her stand with a heavy heart1 knowing that when she went home that night she should miss the sweet little face which had brightened and cheered her after many a hard day's work2 but she was half-consoled for her own loss when she saw ,daisy coming down the street holding ,general ,forster's hand4 ,for the ,general's first care had been to take the little girl to a place where children's clothes could be had ready-made2 and where he had her fitted out1 as ,betty said1 as nice as a new pin and as became the little lady she was by right4 ,but ,daisy was as much a lady in the coarse but clean calico frock and patched shoes she had worn yesterday1 as she was now in the nice clothes provided for her by ,general ,forster2 for it was the sweet manners and pretty ways she had never lost which made her so1 and the new garments covered as warm and loving a little heart as the old ones had done4 ,and so ,betty found1 and knew that pride would have no place there1 when1 as she reached the stand1 ,daisy drew her hand from the gentleman's1 and running behind the stall as she had many a time done when she was eager to show ,betty what a good afternoon's sale she had made with her flowers1 threw her arms about her neck and kissed her again and again as lovingly as she had done when she had no other friend in the world4 ,gentle ,mrs4 ,forster gave ,daisy a warm welcome to her new home2 and the manner in which the child fell at once into the ways and habits of those about her plainly showed that they were not new to her1 but that she had at some time been well accustomed to a different life than that she had led for the last two years4 ,she had ways of her own1 too1 that were very charming3 a pretty1 dainty grace in her behavior and speech2 a thoughtfulness and care for others1 surprising in any child of her age1--for ,daisy could not be more than eight years old1--and particularly so for one who had had little teaching for some time4 ,it was easy to see that ,daisy had received careful training at one time1 and that the lessons then learned had taken deep root and were not yet forgotten in spite of the long separation from her home and friends4 ,it had been intended1 as ,general ,forster told ,betty1 to send the little girl to boarding-school at ,miss ,collins'2 but she soon grew so closely to the hearts of her new friends that they felt as if they could not bear to part with her2 and it was at last settled that her home was to be with them for the present1 at least1 and that she should only go to ,miss ,collins for the morning1 as most of the other little girls in ,glenwood did4 ,mrs4 ,forster could not bear to send from her this loving child1 whose greatest happiness seemed to be in making others happy1 and she grew every day more and more interesting as the familiar objects and customs about her called up past recollections of the home and parents she had lost4 ,she would watch the ,general for hours at a time1 as he sat reading or writing1 or follow him with wistful eyes as he mounted his horse and rode down the broad avenue just like papa2 would hang over the lesser ,daisy as she lay sleeping1 'cause she looks just as our baby at home used to1 and delighted to wait upon her and ,mrs4 ,forster in a dainty1 neat-handed manner1 which showed that such loving service came quite naturally to her4 ,she never called the infant baby1 as the rest of the family did4 ,with her it was always little ,daisy4 ,she seemed to love the pretty name1 either given to herself or another2 and all the variety of choice flowers with which ,general ,forster's garden was filled could not win her chief affection from her old favorite daisies1 'cause mamma loved them so and named me after them4 ,but though she remembered so much1 the child could not recall the name of her parents1 or where they had lived4 ,their name was not what ,betty called it1 she was sure2 but none the less had it passed from her mind4 ,francine1 the ,french bonne1 used to call mamma ,madame1 and herself ,mademoiselle ,marguerite2 but when she was asked what other people used to call mamma and papa1 the little face grew clouded and pained with the effort to remember2 and when name after name was mentioned to her1 she shook her head at each one4 ,the ,general tried by every means in his power to discover the friends who must still be mourning the loss of their sweet little daisy blossom1 but all in vain2 and as week after week went by1 he and his wife decided that they could not send her forth from their own roof unless her relations came to claim her4 ,she was an added ray of light where all had been brightness and sunshine before1--a lovely1 precious little flower1 lending new fragrance and beauty to the home where she blossomed4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,daisy',s ,,sister ,,flowerets4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,iv4 ,,daisy',s ,,sister ,,flowerets4 ,,goodness gracious6 mercy me6 ,i didn't mean to1 ,susy2 'pon my word and honor ,i didn't2 just as sure as ,i'm alive4 ,such were the words uttered by two different little voices which our ,daisy heard1 as holding by ,general ,forster's hand1 she reached the gate of ,miss ,collins' garden on the first morning of her going to school in ,glenwood4 ,now would it not have been thought that some terrible misfortune must have called forth that exclamation from the first young speaker2 or that the second thought herself accused of some dreadful crime1 and that she must prove her innocence at once by all the strong words she could think of1 if she would escape severe punishment8 ,and what was this mighty matter8 ,why1 just this4 ,susy ,edwards and several of her schoolmates were making a land of ,egypt4 ,for of late the geography lesson of the young class had been upon that country1 and they had been much interested in the pictures of the pyramids and ,sphinx4 ,and ,susy1 who liked to make her knowledge of use in her plays1 and who was considered by the other children to have a great genius in that way1 had proposed that they should turn a portion of their play-ground into ,egypt4 ,this was thought a capital plan1 and the recess of the day before had been employed in this way1--the little planners and builders leaving it with great regret1 and returning to it before school-time that morning with fresh pleasure and some new ideas4 ,the gravel walk was supposed to be the desert2 the trough which led the waste water from the spring1 the ,river ,nile2 while a jointed wooden doll1 cruelly deprived for the purpose of all its limbs1 had half of its remainder buried in the gravel1 to represent the ,sphinx4 ,any number of pyramids1 four or five inches high1 had been built out of pebbles1 and several were still going up4 ,and ,lily ,ward1 the pet and darling of the school1 the youngest child1 and till that day the newest scholar there1 had brought that morning a tiny doll's bath-tub1 with a doll to match lying in it1 saying it was to be ,moses in the bulrushes1 for it couldn't be a real land of ,egypt without a ,moses4 ,lily's idea was received with great applause and admiration1 and she felt rather proud of it herself when she heard it so much praised4 ,but a difficulty arose4 ,the little tub did duty for the ark of bulrushes most beautifully1 it was so real and so cunning2 and never was a meeker baby than the one which lay so quietly within it4 ,but he must be hidden1 and nothing could be found to answer for flags4 ,the grass about the mock ,river ,nile was quite too short for that purpose1 trampled on as it was through each day's playtime by at least twenty pairs of little feet2 and the willow twigs which ,lola ,swan planted would not stand up straight enough to make a shade for the ark4 ,there isn't time to plant them deep enough1 said ,lola2 the school-bell will ring in a few moments1 and then we'll have to leave it4 ,and the sun will go and come round here before recess1 said ,lily1 in a tone of distress1 and ,moses will be all sunburned4 ,besides1 it isn't a bit real3 they never leave babies lying out in the sun4 ,put him out on the grass and turn the ark upside-down over him till we come out again1 said ,susy4 ,but ,lily scouted the idea of having her ,moses treated in this way2 and all began at once to deepen the holes for the willow twigs before the bell should ring4 ,but suddenly a bright thought struck ,lily4 ,let's play ,moses' mother and ,miriam put a pyramid over him1 she said4 ,we could do that pretty quick1 and it will be nice and shady for him1 and very real too1 'cause they did have pyramids in ,egypt4 ,all agreed readily1 for this was thought an excellent arrangement1 and they fell to work as fast as possible2 while ,bessie ,norton whispered to ,violet ,swan1 ,what a smart child ,lily is1 isn't she8 ,yes1 said ,violet1 in the same tone1 very2 and ,i expect when she is grown up she will do something very remarkable4 ,what8 asked ,susy ,edwards1 who heard them4 ,be a genius1 ,i expect1 answered ,violet1 solemnly4 ,oh1 how nice6 said ,bessie1 who had not the least idea what genius meant1 but did not like to say so4 ,the pyramid over the sleeping ,moses was nearly completed1 the little builders expecting each moment to hear the bell1 when ,lola ,swan1 coming with a fresh supply of pebbles1 tripped over a stick which lay upon the grass1 and1 trying to recover herself1 let her load fall around and upon the half-built pyramid1 knocking down half a dozen or so of the stones which composed it4 ,not much harm was done1 but ,susy immediately exclaimed1-- ,goodness gracious6 mercy me6 and ,lola answered as you have heard in the words which met ,daisy's ear as she and ,general ,forster entered the garden4 ,the click of the gate-latch caused all the children to look up1 and ,moses and the pyramids were for the moment forgotten at the sight of the new scholar4 ,why6 there's ,daisy ,forster1 said ,lily1 for ,daisy was now known by this name4 ,i wonder if she's coming here to school1 said another2 and that question was speedily answered1 as1 stopping by the little group1 the ,general1 whom all knew and liked1 said1 ,here's a new schoolmate for you4 ,will you be kind to her1 and make her feel at home8 ,yes1 sir1 we will2 and ,i'll take care of her1 said ,lily1 scrambling to her feet and taking ,daisy's hand in a patronizing manner4 ,she won't feel much strange after one day1 'cause we'll all be good to her1 and she shall help us make our land of ,egypt4 ,ah6 that is what you are doing1 is it8 said the ,general4 ,yes1 sir1 answered ,lily2 we're just putting a pyramid over ,moses in the bulrushes1 'cause we hav'n't time to fix so many bulrushes till recess4 ,and part of it is knocked down4 ,lola did it1 but she didn't mean to1 and if you peep in there between those stones you can see a little bit of the ark and ,moses' dear little china arm poking up4 ,please to peek1 sir4 ,the ,general did as he was requested1 saying that he saw ,moses quite plainly4 ,it isn't much matter if we do have to leave him now1 said ,lily2 he's pretty nicely covered up4 ,i think so1 said the ,general1 gravely2 and if ,i were ,moses1 with a pyramid being built over me1 ,i think ,i should prefer to have a small breathing-hole left4 ,why1 so he would1 said ,lily2 and now we can leave him nicely fixed1 and play he's very comfortable in his pyramid1 even if it's not quite done4 ,lily being satisfied with the fate of ,moses1 all the rest were so2 and the bell now ringing1 the little group turned towards the house4 ,daisy wondering1 as well she might1 that a matter which was so easily settled should call for such violent expressions of distress and alarm as she had heard from two of the little girls4 ,why1 ,miss ,collins1 said ,general ,forster1 as that lady met them at the door1 what a bouquet of flowers you have here6 ,a ,rose1 a ,violet1 a ,daisy1 and a ,lily2 as choice a nosegay as one could wish for4 ,and the ,lily is going to take care of the ,daisy1 and make her feel to home1 ,miss ,collins1 said ,lily1 who still held ,daisy's hand4 ,the ,general said ,i could4 ,no1 he didn't1 said ,susy4 ,yes1 he did1 'pon my word he did2 least ,i said ,i would do it1 and he didn't say ,i couldn't3 did you1 sir8 said ,lily1 throwing back her head to look up at the ,general's tall figure4 ,and that comes to the same thing1 does it1 ,lily8 he said1 laughing2 well1 ,i suppose it does2 and ,i promise you shall look after ,daisy till she feels no longer a stranger among you4 ,she knows me1 and ,loly and ,violet1 as well as any thing1 said ,lily2 for the little girls had met several times before1 and ,lily felt herself and the two ,swans to be on rather intimate terms with ,daisy ,forster4 ,all right1 then4 ,i leave her to you4 ,good-morning1 ,miss ,collins1 and with a bow to the lady1 with whom he had before made all the necessary arrangements for ,daisy1 a pleasant nod for the little ones1 and a kiss for ,daisy1 he went away4 ,daisy felt rather lonely when he was gone1 in spite of ,miss ,collins' kind look1 ,lily's tight clasp of the hand1 and ,violet's1 ,we have real nice times in school4 ,don't be afraid4 ,for she was far more shy with children than she was with grown people1 probably because she had never had any companions of her own age2 and the number of young faces1 most of them strange1 about her1 made her long to be back again at ,mrs4 ,forster's side4 ,and they all looked at her a good deal1 for her story was well known among them1 and she was an object of great curiosity4 ,lily observed this1 as she took her seat with ,daisy beside her1 and thought she must speak up for her charge4 ,miss ,collins1 she said1 please to make a rule4 ,well1 said ,miss ,collins1 smiling2 for ,lily was constantly asking for new rules concerning things which did not suit her4 ,she had begun with this more than a year ago when she was only a visitor at the school2 and she was even now not a regular scholar1 but only coming for a few weeks4 ,for her papa and mamma had gone on a journey1 and ,lily1 being lonely at home when ,ella and the boys were at school1 it had been arranged that she was to go with ,ella in the morning4 ,so she was rather a privileged person1 and spoke her mind freely concerning that which did not please her1 which the other children thought rather a joke1 and were generally ready enough to fall in with ,lily's rules4 ,so now they all listened4 ,please to make a rule that nobody must stare1 ma'am1 said ,lily3 it makes people feel so to be stared at1--and ,lily put up both hands to her cheeks1--specially if they are new4 ,very true1 answered ,miss ,collins3 let us all try to remember the ,golden ,rule1 and then we shall neither stare nor do any thing else to hurt another's feelings4 ,then she struck the little bell which stood upon her table1 and all knew the school had begun1 and they must be quiet4 ,next calling ,bessie ,norton to her1 ,miss ,collins gave her a number of ,bibles1 and the little girl handed one to each of her classmates4 ,then ,miss ,collins read a verse aloud1 and the children followed1 each in her turn4 ,minnie ,grey may take the ,bibles1 said ,miss ,collins when this was done4 ,minnie rose1 and went from one to another collecting the ,bibles4 ,but instead of taking as many as she could conveniently carry at one time1 giving them to ,miss ,collins1 and coming back for the rest1 she went on piling one on top of another1 till one arm was quite full1 when she came to ,daisy and held out her other hand for her book4 ,as she did so1 the top one of the pile fell to the floor4 ,minnie stooped for it1 and down went two or three more4 ,oh6 bother the old things1 said ,minnie1 in a low voice1 but very impatiently4 ,daisy had stooped to help her pick up the ,bibles1 but the glow her cheeks wore when she raised her head again was not all owing to that4 ,bother the old things6 ,what old things8 ,why1 the ,bibles1 ,god's own ,holy ,word4 ,daisy was very much shocked1 and she looked up at ,miss ,collins1 expecting to hear her reprove such wicked words1 she thought them4 ,but ,miss ,collins had not heard ,minnie's exclamation1 though the noise of the falling books had called her attention that way1 and she said1-- ,minnie1 my dear1 you are careless with those ,bibles3 do you forget whose books they are8 ,i don't care1 muttered ,minnie1 but not so that the lady could hear4 ,daisy heard again2 and the thought passed through her mind1 ,what a wicked little girl ,minnie must be6 ,and yet ,daisy was mistaken4 ,if she had asked ,minnie's parents1 teacher1 or playmates1 they would all have told her that ,minnie was an uncommonly good and pleasant little girl2 truthful1 obedient1 industrious1 and generous and obliging towards others4 ,she had no thought now that she was breaking one of ,god's commandments2 and she would have been both offended and grieved1 if she had known what was in ,daisy's mind1 believing herself1 as she did1 to be innocent of any wrong4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,daisy ,,at ,,study4 ,illustration ,illustration ,v4 ,,daisy ,,at ,,study4 ,,daisy was soon at home with her schoolmates1 and a great favorite among them4 ,it was not strange that they liked and were interested in her4 ,she was such a gentle1 modest1 amiable little girl2 watching and joining in the games and lessons of the others with a kind of innocent wonder which amused and touched them all4 ,for ,daisy was not at all accustomed to be with children of her own age1 and their ways were all new to her4 ,and of course she was behind all the rest in her studies4 ,she could not even read as well as ,lily ,ward2 and had to begin with the simplest lessons1 such as ,lily and two or three of the very youngest children learned4 ,at first this troubled her1 and she feared the rest of the class would laugh at her4 ,but she soon found she need not have been afraid of that1 for the rule of ,miss ,collins' infant class was the law of kindness2 and any one of the little girls would have thought it almost a crime to laugh or mock at ,daisy1 for that which was her misfortune and not her fault4 ,they might now and then fall out a little among themselves1 for they were by no means perfect children2 sometimes there would be some selfishness shown1 or even a few angry words pass from one to another2 but1 on the whole1 they agreed about as well as any twenty little girls could be expected to do2 and not one among them would have had the heart purposely to do an unkind thing to another4 ,least of all to ,daisy ,forster1 whom they all looked upon with a kind of tender pity and interest1 because of her sad and romantic history2 and who was at once taken up by both teacher and scholars as a sort of twin pet with ,lily1 for whom allowances were to be made1 and who was to be encouraged and aided as much as possible4 ,so ,daisy found plenty of helpers1 who1 so far from laughing at her mistakes and backwardness1 were rather inclined to think her quick and industrious1 as indeed she was1 trying hard to make up for lost time1 and catch up with those of her own age4 ,she was almost too eager about this1 and had to be checked now and then1 for since the long illness which had followed the shipwreck1 ,daisy had never been strong2 and too much fatigue or study1 or even too much play1 would make her nervous and sick1 and her little head would become confused and ache4 ,so now and then ,mrs4 ,forster would have to take the books from her1 and forbid more study1 sending her out to play1 or to work in the plot of ground which had been given her for a garden of her own4 ,she was not always pleased at this1 and sometimes would be rather fretful and impatient4 ,but ,mrs4 ,forster soon found a way to put a stop to this4 ,one afternoon she found the little girl bending over her slate with flushed and heated cheeks1 anxious eyes1 and trembling hands4 ,daisy1 she said1 quietly1 what are you doing8 ,miss ,collins has not given you lessons out of school1 has she8 ,no1 ma'am1 said ,daisy2 but ,i asked ,ella ,ward to set me a whole lot of sums so that ,i could do them at home1 and ,i can't make this one come right4 ,i know it is not right1 'cause ,ella put the answers on the other side of the slate1 and mine won't come the same1 all ,i can do4 ,mrs4 ,forster took the slate from her hand4 ,this sum is too hard for you1 ,daisy1 she said3 you do not know enough arithmetic for this4 ,it is not any harder than the sums ,lola and ,violet and the other girls as large as ,i am do1 answered ,daisy1 looking ready to burst out crying2 and ,i have to do arithmetic with the very little ones1 like ,lily1 and it makes me ashamed2 so ,i want to go on all ,i can4 ,please give me the slate again1 ,aunt ,gertrude1 she added1 as ,mrs4 ,forster laid it beyond her reach4 ,no1 dear4 ,i do not wish you to study out of school4 ,i am glad you want to improve1 but you have as much to do there as is good for you2 and at home ,i want you to have rest and play4 ,you are improving quite as fast as could be expected1 and for a time you must be content to go on with those who are younger than yourself4 ,but it makes me ashamed1 pleaded ,daisy1 again4 ,there is no reason for that1 said ,mrs4 ,forster1 patting the hot cheek she raised towards her4 ,the other children do not laugh at you and make you uncomfortable1 do they8 ,oh1 no1 ma'am1 said ,daisy2 they are all so good to me1 and when they can't help seeing what a dunce ,i am 7here ,daisy's tears overflowed71 they always say kind things about how ,i never went to school before1 and how my own dear mamma was drowned1 and there was nobody to teach me till ,i came to you4 ,you are not a dunce1 dear1 said the lady4 ,a child who idles away her time when she should be studying1 and does not care whether or no she learns as much as is fit for her1 is a dunce3 not a little girl who really wishes to be industrious1 but does not know quite as much as others of her own age only because ,god has not given her the same advantages in time past4 ,no one will think my ,daisy a dunce4 ,now1 we must have no more studying at home1 no more lessons than those ,miss ,collins sets you4 ,daisy did not look satisfied3 on the contrary1 she even pouted a little4 ,daisy1 said ,mrs4 ,forster1 suppose ,uncle ,frank were to give you some beautiful and costly thing which would be of great use to you in time to come if you took good care of it1 say a watch3 what would you do with it8 ,why6 ,i would take great care1 oh6 such care of it1 said ,daisy1 opening her eyes in some surprise at the question4 ,she did not see what that could have to do with her studies4 ,i'd wind it up every night1 and try to keep it right and safe every way ,i could4 ,but ,i don't know if ,i am quite large enough to have a watch of my own1 or take care of it2 maybe the best way would be to ask you or ,uncle ,frank to keep it for me till ,i was older4 ,and suppose for a while he gave you no key to this watch1 but let it run down and be quiet8 ,i'd just put it away till he gave me a key1 and be patient about it1 said ,daisy1 wondering more and more4 ,and if1 by and by1 when he gave you this key1 you should go on winding and winding the watch farther and faster than it was right for it to go1 till the wheels and springs were all spoiled and out of order1 would ,uncle ,frank think you cared much for his gift8 ,why1 no1 ,aunt ,gertrude2 and he wouldn't think ,i cared much for him1 either1 to use his pretty present so4 ,you are right1 dear4 ,and now ,i want my own little ,daisy to see how it is with herself4 ,god has given to you a young mind1 bright and quick enough2 but1 for a while1 ,he did not choose that it should do much work4 ,but now ,he has given you the key by which you may wind it and set it to work2 and if you use it without proper care1 and so as to hurt and wear out this precious gift1 would it not seem as if you cared very little about it1 and did not respect and honor the ,giver8 ,yes'm1 answered ,daisy1 beginning to see what ,mrs4 ,forster meant2 but ,i never thought about that4 ,i believe ,i never thought about it before1 dear1 said ,mrs4 ,forster1 smiling4 ,i am not afraid to praise you1 ,daisy2 and ,i may safely say that ,i have never seen any little child who showed such true honor and reverence for her ,maker1 and all which belongs to ,him4 ,you must have been well taught1 my child2 and to know and remember such lessons is worth all the book learning in the world4 ,daisy was pleased1 as she always was when any one spoke to her of her long-lost home1 or praised the teaching she had received from those who had loved and cared for her there4 ,and from this time there was no further trouble about the lessons2 for it was enough for ,daisy to know that she was misusing any one of ,god's good gifts1 to make her change her ways4 ,many a lesson might have been learned1 and1 indeed1 had been learned1 by those older and wiser than herself1 from the loving care and respect paid by this little one to her ,creator's name1 and to all the works of ,his hand4 ,and it was a great trouble to her to hear the careless way in which many of her schoolmates used sacred names and things4 ,they did not mean any harm2 they did not think it any sin2 but every day ,daisy was shocked and distressed by hearing such words as mercy1 gracious1 goodness1 and good heavens1 and the like1 from the lips of the other children1 as they were about their play and study4 ,it had become a habit with nearly all in the school2 one caught it from another almost without knowing it2 even ,lily ,ward1 who once thought the clergyman preached a sermon at her because she said hush up1 now and then followed the example of the others when any thing vexed or surprised her4 ,a few weeks at school had accustomed ,lily to the constant use of expressions which a year ago she would have considered real naughty words4 ,the older girls in ,miss ,sarah ,collins' room had fallen into this bad habit as much1 if not more1 than the little ones of the infant class4 ,and it was not only this carelessness of speech in which they were all1 large and small1 to blame2 but it seemed to ,daisy so strange that they could handle and treat the ,bible1 ,god's holy ,word1 with so little reverence and respect1 knocking it about among their other books as if it were no better than these last1 even using it1 sometimes1 for purposes to which no book1 even the most common one1 should be put4 ,daisy wondered that ,miss ,collins did not teach them better2 but either she did not notice all this1 or she did not think it of much consequence2 certain it is that she did not check them1 and the evil seemed to ,daisy to grow worse from day to day4 ,at first she did not like to speak herself4 ,you may wonder that this was so1 since she had not feared to speak so plainly to ,general ,forster1 who was a grown gentleman1 so much older than herself2 but she had done that almost without knowing what she was saying1 for1 as you know1 his profane words had startled her so that he was surprised1 and he had almost forced her to tell him what had disturbed her4 ,and here she was with every thing strange around her1 school1 schoolmates1 and teacher all new to her2 so it is not astonishing that she was rather shy and felt afraid to interfere with the others1 or to tell them that she thought they were doing wrong4 ,but by and by there came a day when she could no longer hold her peace4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,daisy ,a ,,teacher4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,vi4 ,,daisy ,a ,,teacher4 ,,one morning just after school commenced1 a heavy shower came up2 and when it was time for the recess1 which was always given to the infant class at eleven o'clock1 the ground was still so wet that the little ones were forced to find amusement within doors or upon the piazza4 ,what shall we play8 asked ,rosie ,pierson4 ,lady ,queen ,fair1 said ,bessie ,norton3 we'll go out on the piazza and play it4 ,illustration ,yes1 said ,violet2 and ,lily shall be ,lady ,queen ,fair1 and we'll dress her up a little4 ,miss ,emily1 as a third ,miss ,collins1 who gave music lessons to the girls1 passed by1 may we have a rose to put in ,lily's hair for ,lady ,fair8 ,the young lady smiled1 stopped and pulled a couple of roses from the vine which wound itself around one of the pillars of the piazza1 and gave them to ,violet1 then passed on4 ,time had been when ,violet would have hoped1 perhaps would have asked to be ,lady ,fair herself1 and been sulky and displeased if the other children had not agreed2 but now she was very different1 and more apt to prefer another before herself4 ,the roses were soon arranged1 the one in the hair1 the other in the bosom of the little ,lady ,queen1 who took her dignities in the calmest manner4 ,meanwhile some of the other children were drawing forward one of the rustic chairs with which the piazza was furnished1 to serve as a throne4 ,but the little queen1 like many another royal lady before her1 found her throne by no means an easy one4 ,ow6 she said1 rubbing her little round white shoulders where she had scratched them against the rough bark of the twisted boughs which made the back of the chair1 ow6 this is not nice at all1 or comfortal4 ,my feet don't come to the floor1 and if ,i lean back ,i'm all scratched4 ,i'd rather be a queen without a throne4 ,oh1 no6 ,you must have a throne1 said ,susy ,edwards4 ,queens have to4 ,i don't see why1 said ,lily1 rather pettishly2 for she did not feel very well that morning1 and that and the close heat of the day made her more fretful than usual4 ,i should think queens could do just as they have a mind to and make their subjiks do it too2 and ,i don't see what they have to have their skin all scraped up for if they don't want to2 and ,lily twisted her head to give an aggrieved look at the little fat shoulder with that red mark upon it4 ,i'll fix you1 said ,lola4 ,i'll put ,miss ,collins' footstool under your feet and you shall have the big cushion behind you4 ,some one bring the cushion while ,i carry the stool4 ,the footstool was brought in a moment2 but the cushion was not to be found4 ,the big girls had it yesterday1 said ,fanny ,satterlee4 ,i saw them with it in their recess when ,i was going home4 ,there comes ,cora ,prime now2 let's ask her4 ,cora1 what did the big girls do with that cushion yesterday when they had done with it8 ,the ,lord knows2 ,i don't1 said ,cora1 playfully tapping ,fanny on the head with the roll of music in her hand4 ,oh6 exclaimed ,lily4 ,daisy did not speak2 but as ,cora's eye happened to fall upon her1 her face said as much as ,lily's ,oh6 ,what's the matter with you two8 asked ,cora1 looking from one to the other of the little girls1 but still good-natured4 ,you oughtn't to say that1 said ,lily4 ,ought not to say what8 ,the ,lord knows1 answered ,lily4 ,well1 don't ,he know8 asked ,cora4 ,no1 said ,lily1 doubtfully1 ,i guess not4 ,i don't believe ,he'd bother ,himself with knowing about a worn-out old cushion what has a hole in the cover1 and such things4 ,yes1 ,he does1 too1 said ,cora1 laughing2 are not the very hairs of our head numbered8 ,now1 ,i know you ought to be 'shamed1 said ,lily4 ,you're talking ,bible2 and that is not right1 is it1 ,daisy8 ,no1 said ,daisy1 as boldly as ,lily herself could have done1 for quoting ,scripture in a careless manner was also a habit of many in the school4 ,you two saucy monkeys6 correcting your elders1 said ,cora1 much amused4 ,i heard you both talking ,bible to ,miss ,collins this morning with all the rest of your class4 ,we were only saying what we learned in ,sunday school yesterday1 said ,lily4 ,that's not the same thing4 ,i know it's not right to talk ,bible that kind of a way4 ,papa says so1 and he tells us not to do it4 ,your papa's saying so does not make a thing right or wrong1 said ,cora4 ,yes1 it does1 too6 said ,lily4 ,my papa knows a whole lot1 and he wouldn't tell a story for any thing4 ,cora1 you'd better go to your music lesson3 ,i 'speck ,miss ,emily wants you4 ,oh1 you are very considerate for ,miss ,emily1 all at once1 said ,cora1 more amused than ever2 but you haven't told me why ,i shouldn't say1 ,the ,lord knows1 when ,he does know4 ,lily looked at ,daisy1 who stood by the arm of her chair1 for help4 ,the little one felt that ,cora was wrong1 but she did not exactly know how to answer1 and she had noticed how careful ,daisy was to honor the name of ,god4 ,is it not taking the name of ,god in vain8 said ,daisy4 ,upon my word6 said ,cora4 ,do you mean to call that swearing8 ,well1 yes1 said ,lily1 taking up the word1 a kind of baby swearing1 ,i s'pose2 but you know it's not very good of you1 ,cora4 ,everybody says such things3 they don't mean any thing1 said ,cora4 ,not everybody1 answered ,lily4 ,daisy don't4 ,then ,daisy's uncommonly good1 said ,cora4 ,yes1 she is1 replied ,lily2 and ,i s'pose everybody ought to be uncommonly good and never say them4 ,cora laughed again4 ,everybody must mind their p's and q's before you3 mustn't they1 ,lily8 and away she ran to her music lesson4 ,here's the cushion1 said ,rosie ,pierson1 running out from the school-room4 ,i found it in the closet under the shelf where those careless big girls left it1 ,i s'pose4 ,the cushion was put behind ,lily's shoulders1 but still the little queen fidgeted on her throne and declared she was not yet comfortal4 ',cause if ,i lean back against the cushion my feet won't touch the stool1 she said4 ,we'll put something else on the stool to make it higher1 said ,nettie ,prime1 who was trying to arrange ,lily satisfactorily3 what shall we take8 ,oh1 ,i know4 ,daisy1 run and bring the big ,bible off ,miss ,collins' table for ,lily to put her feet on4 ,daisy1 who made a motion to start forward as ,nettie began to speak1 stood still when she heard what she called for4 ,make haste1 said the latter1 impatiently3 we won't have a bit of time to play4 ,daisy did not move1 but stood with rising color1 trying to make up her mind to speak4 ,oh6 you disobliging thing6 said ,violet1 and she ran for the book4 ,oh6 don't1 said ,daisy1 as ,violet came back and stooped to put the ,bible on the footstool2 ,i didn't mean to be disobliging1 but we ought not to use the ,bible to play with4 ,pooh6 said ,violet3 ,lily's little feet won't hurt it4 ,it's all worn out1 any way4 ,the cover is real shabby4 ,i didn't mean that1 answered ,daisy2 ,i meant because it is ,god's book1 and we ought to treat it very carefully4 ,oh1 fiddle6 ,how awfully particular you are1 ,daisy6 said ,minnie ,grey4 ,why1 girls1 do you know1 the other day1 when ,i was playing paper-dolls with her and ,i turned up a ,bible to make the side of a house1 she took it away1 and when ,i put it back again 'cause it stood up better than the other books1 she said she wouldn't play if ,i did so with the ,bible4 ,i s'pose ,daisy would call that 'taking ,god's name in vain1' said another1 half reproachfully2 wouldn't you1 ,daisy8 ,i think it is something the same1 answered ,daisy1 feeling as if all the others were finding fault with her and thinking her awfully particular1 a crime which no little girl likes to have laid to her charge4 ,i don't see how1 said ,lola4 ,i know we ought not to play with the ,bible2 but ,i don't see how it is taking ,god's name in vain4 ,but the ,bible is ,god's book1 and ,he told it to the men who wrote it1 and ,his name is in it a great many times1 said ,daisy1 and ,i think it seems like taking it in vain to play with it or to put things upon it1 or to knock it about like our other school-books4 ,and it is not right to say 'the ,lord knows1' and 'mercy1' and 'gracious1' and such words1 when we are just playing1 or when we are provoked4 ,what is the harm8 asked ,rosie4 ,mercy and gracious are not ,god's name4 ,well1 no1 said ,daisy1 slowly1 not exactly knowing how to explain herself4 ,and maybe ,i make a mistake2 but it does seem to me as if it was a kind of--of-- ,of little swearing1 as ,lily says1 said ,lola4 ,yes1 said ,daisy4 ,rosie thinks it is no harm2 but even if it is not much harm1 ,i don't see what is the good of it4 ,we can talk just as well without saying such words4 ,i guess they are pretty wicked1 said ,lily4 ,the day mamma went away1 ,i said 'good heavens1' and she said ',lily6 ,lily6' very quick1 like she does when ,i do something very naughty1 and she asked me where ,i learned that2 and ,i told her ,elly said it4 ,i didn't mean to tell a tale about ,elly2 but mamma looked sorry1 and she told me never to say it again4 ,i guess 'mercy' is 'most the same1 and ,i guess ,i won't say it any more2 and1 ,daisy1 if ,i hear the other girls say those words1 ,i'll help you correct 'em4 ,lily promised this with an air of such grave importance that the other children laughed4 ,not in the least abashed1 ,lily went on1-- ,papa's coming home day after to-morrow1 and ,i'll ask him to tell me a whole lot about ,god's name1 and why it is wrong to say those things2 and then ,i'll tell all you girls4 ,but ,i'm not coming to school any more when mamma comes home2 so you'll have to come to my house1 and ,i'll have a swearing class1 and teach you all about it4 ,lily's words might have been taken with a different meaning from that which she intended to give them2 but the other children understood her1 and that was enough4 ,but1 ,daisy1 said ,lola1 how do you know so much about these things when you don't know a great deal about every-day lessons1 and have had no one to teach you for so long8 ,i don't know1 said ,daisy4 ,i think my own mamma who was drowned used to teach me in the home ,i used to have2 and the dreamy look came into her eyes which they always wore when she spoke of her far-away home and those she had loved there4 ,i think ,i've forgotten a good many things1 she added2 but you know ,i couldn't forget what mamma taught me about ,jesus and what ,he wanted us to do if we loved ,him4 ,and ,i think if we do love ,him we won't say words about ,his name1 ,his heaven1 or any thing that is ,his1 that are not very good and gentle1 and that we are very sure ,he would like us to say4 ,but you are so very particular1 ,daisy1 said ,minnie2 ,i think you are most too particular4 ,i didn't think we could be too particular about doing what ,jesus likes1 said ,daisy4 ,the other children had all gathered about ,daisy1 and were listening with interest to what she said4 ,perhaps they heard her with more patience than they would have given to any one else2 for ,daisy was a kind of mystery to them1 and they looked upon her as a sort of fairy or princess in disguise1 and would not have been at all surprised to hear the most extravagant stories about her1 for she was just like a story-book child4 ,lily had said so one day when she was speaking of her at home4 ,no1 said ,lola1 thoughtfully2 but it does not seem as if such little things could be wrong4 ,i know it can't be right to play with the ,bible or say its words just when we are joking or for our own common talk2 but ,i don't see the harm of saying 'goodness1' or 'mercy1' or 'heavens1' or those words which you never will say1 ,daisy2 they are not ,god's name1 and ,i don't see how it is taking it in vain to say them4 ,daisy looked thoughtful4 ,she felt she was right1 and wanted to explain herself2 but she was rather shy and could not find words to do so4 ,but ,lily1 whom shyness never troubled1 came to her aid4 ,never mind1 she said3 ,i'll ask papa just as soon as he comes home1 and he'll tell us all about it2 and if he says it is naughty1 why1 it is1 and we won't do it2 and if he says it's good enough1 why1 we will4 ,that's the way to fix it4 ,here the bell rang4 ,there1 now1 said ,susy ,edwards1 we have to go in1 and we've wasted all our time talking1 and never had a bit of good of our recess4 ,but ,i think ,susy was mistaken1 and that they had one and all gained more good from their talk than they could have done from any amount of play2 for it had set more than one young mind thinking2 and from this day1 even the most careless among them would check herself when she found she was on the point of using these words which had grown so common among them1 more from want of thought than from any wish or temptation to do wrong4 ,illustration ,,the ,,swearing ,,class4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,vii4 ,,the ,,swearing ,,class4 ,,when ,lily's papa and mamma came home1 she was so glad to see them1 and there was so much to hear and to talk about1 that she quite forgot her purpose of asking her father to teach her about the third commandment4 ,besides1 she no longer went to school now that her mother was at home1 but had her lesson each day with her as she had done before ,mrs4 ,ward went on her journey2 and so she was not as apt to hear or to say those careless words which ,daisy ,forster had said it was not right to use4 ,but it was at last brought to her mind one evening as the family all sat at the tea-table4 ,mamma1 said ,ella1 will you let ,lily and me have a tea-party to-morrow8 ,i want to ask half a dozen of our girls1 and ,i suppose ,lily would like to have a few of the little ones at the same time4 ,yes1 answered ,mrs4 ,ward1 you may each ask six of your most intimate friends4 ,can ,walter and ,i ask some of the fellows8 said ,ned4 ,oh1 mercy6 no1 said ,ella3 we don't want any boys4 ,it is not to be a regular party1 ,ned4 ,i just want the girls to spend the afternoon and drink tea2 and it makes more fuss to have boys too4 ,goodness me6 ,you needn't get into such a way about it1 said ,ned4 ,children1 said ,lily1 her brother's and sister's words bringing back to her what ,daisy had said1 children1 you needn't either of you swear about it4 ,lily's efforts to keep the family straight were generally considered as a good joke1 and her reproofs and advice received with a laugh2 but this plain speaking was rather too much for either ,ella or ,ned1 and the former exclaimed1-- ,well1 who is swearing1 ,i'd like to know8 ,and who gave you leave to correct your elders8 said ,ned4 ,nobody3 ,i just took it1 said unabashed ,lily2 and then1 turning to her father1 she exclaimed1 ,papa1 ,i b'lieve the girls in our school are pretty heathen1 and don't know enough about the comman'ments4 ,so ,i told them we'd have a swearing class1 and ,i'd ask you to teach it1 'cause ,i s'pose you know a good deal about swearing2 and this will be a good chance when they come to-morrow4 ,this speech turned the vexation of ,ella and ,ned into amusement1 and they laughed with the others4 ,i don't think your playmates will thank you for asking them here to take tea and then bringing them up for a lecture from me1 my pet1 said ,mr4 ,ward4 ,yes3 they will1 papa4 ,they want to know about it1 and ,i think we'd better make a swearing party of this4 ,i b'lieve it would do those big girls good too4 ,they swear1 oh1 dreadfully6 and they don't seem to think they do1 least ,cora don't4 ,mamma1 let's make a rule we won't have any swearing in this house3 won't you8 ,certainly1 said mamma1 smiling2 and ,i think we must find out what swearing is1 and be careful not to break the rule4 ,if one is going to call 'goodness' and 'mercy1' and such things1 swearing1 one might as well give up talking altogether1 said ,ella4 ,perhaps not exactly swearing1 said her father2 but the use of them is a bad habit1 and one that ,i have noticed is quite too frequent among all the young people of this place4 ,it is growing stronger too1 as all such habits do1 and going from bad to worse4 ,but ,i must go out now1 and have not time to talk to you about it4 ,if ,lily can persuade her little friends to take the 'swearing class1' as part of their afternoon's entertainment to-morrow1 well and good2 if not1 we will have a little private talk among ourselves some other time4 ,ella was not at all pleased by ,lily's proposal2 and hoping that it would pass from the child's mind before the afternoon1 she was careful not to make her remember it by the use of any such words as had called forth ,lily's reproof4 ,this had very nearly proved successful2 and in the excitement of arranging her baby-house1 setting out the new tea-set mamma had brought her1 and dressing the doll which had been papa's present1 ,lily had almost forgotten her plan for mingling wholesome instruction with the amusement provided for her young friends4 ,there were ,lola and ,violet ,swan1 ,daisy ,forster1 ,rosie ,pierson1 ,minnie ,grey1 and ,bessie ,norton2 and they were all having a real good time sitting around a small table and playing tea out of the new china set1 when ,minnie said1-- ,i have a secret to tell all of you1 if you'll promise never to tell4 ,i won't1 said ,violet4 ,on your sacred word and honor8 said ,minnie4 ,on my sacred word and honor1 repeated ,violet4 ,and you1 ,rosie8 asked ,minnie4 ,on my word and honor1 said ,rosie4 ,sacred8 said ,minnie4 ,sacred4 ,sacred word and honor1 was ,rosie's answer4 ,lily repeated the words as desired1 and next came ,daisy's turn4 ,i won't tell1 she said1 when ,minnie looked at her4 ,on your sacred word and honor8 asked ,minnie4 ,i promise ,i won't tell1 ,minnie4 ,but you must say on your word and honor4 ,i can't1 said ,daisy4 ,then ,i shan't tell you2 and you're real mean1 ,daisy ,forster1 said ,minnie4 ,why won't you say so8 ,i don't see why ,i need1 and ,i don't know if it is quite right1 answered ,daisy1 coloring4 ,oh1 ,daisy ,forster1 what a girl you are6 said ,rosie4 ,well1 said ,lily1 there's nothing left1 'cept these two caramels4 ,daisy1 you eat up this2 and1 ,bessie1 you eat up the other4 ,now the tea-party is all done1 and we'll go and ask papa about that comman'ment4 ,he's been playing croquet with the big girls1 but they seem to be resting now4 ,lily was right4 ,mr4 ,ward had been persuaded to make the eighth in a game of croquet1 for he was a great favorite with all the young people in ,glenwood1 and his presence never put any check upon their games or pleasure parties4 ,but the afternoon proved rather warm for exercise1 even the gentle one of bewitching croquet2 and1 after a long game was finished1 the whole party were ready to agree to ,ella's proposal that they should take a rest1 and send to the house for some cooling drink4 ,so ,mr4 ,ward was at liberty to attend to ,lily1 when she came rushing up to him1 followed1 rather more slowly1 by the rest of the children4 ,papa1 she said1 throwing herself across his knee1 as he sat upon the green mound which was raised about the foot of one of the fine elm-trees which shaded the croquet-ground1 papa1 ,daisy says we oughtn't to say upon our words and honors6 ,oughtn't we8 ,and will you teach us about taking ,god's name in vain now8 ,it's the singalest circumstance1 but ,i went and forgot all about the swearing class1 till ,daisy said that4 ,a very singular circumstance1 certainly2 said ,mr4 ,ward1 lifting ,lily to a seat upon his knee1 and smiling1 while the other girls laughed at her speech4 ,i am quite willing to have a little talk with you all on this subject2 but tell me first what you want to know4 ,daisy is so awfully particular1 ,mr4 ,ward1 said ,minnie1 in an aggrieved tone4 ,she won't let us say any thing2 at least1 she says every thing is 'wrong4' ,every thing8 said ,mr4 ,ward3 that is bad4 ,does ,daisy want you all to keep silence8 ,that must spoil your play4 ,oh1 no6 said ,minnie1 not that2 but she says such lots of things are wrong to say4 ,why1 sir1 she won't say 'upon her word and honor1' 'cause she don't think it is right4 ,why do you want her to say it8 asked ,mr4 ,ward4 ,i was just going to tell them all a great secret1 and ,i wanted her to promise1 on her sacred word and honor1 she would never tell2 and she wouldn't do it4 ,so ,daisy is apt to break her promises1 is she8 said the gentleman1 with a smile at ,daisy1 which told very plainly that he was only joking4 ,oh1 no1 sir6 said ,minnie4 ,indeed she is not4 ,daisy always tells the truth1 and never does what she says she won't2 at least1 we never knew her to do it3 did we1 girls8 ,a chorus of young voices was raised in ,daisy's favor4 ,and yet you cannot trust her unless she swears to what she promises1 said ,mr4 ,ward4 ,swears1 sir6 said ,minnie4 ,i'm sure ,i don't want her to swear6 ',word and honor' are not bad words1 are they8 ,not in themselves1 certainly2 answered ,mr4 ,ward4 ,many a thing which is good in itself when properly used1 becomes bad and hurtful if put to a wrong purpose4 ,now to swear is to say1 by some word or person which you consider holy and sacred1 that you will or will not do1 that you have or have not done1 a certain thing4 ,suppose some man were accused of a crime1 and that the judge were about to try him1 and punish him if he were guilty1 and it was thought that ,i knew whether or no the man had done that of which he was accused4 ,so ,i am called to the court1 and there made to promise that ,i will tell the truth1 and nothing but the truth2 and to make sure of this ,i am made to lay my hand on the ,bible1--,god's holy word1--and call upon ,him1 to hear me tell what ,i know4 ,and this is considered a very solemn thing1 even by many who have little care or respect for ,god in other ways2 and it is called swearing1 or taking the oath4 ,they ought to be 'shamed of theirselves1 said ,lily1 indignantly2 they ought to know you would never tell a story1 papa4 ,and to go and make you swear too6 ,i wouldn't do it if ,i was you2 but ,i'd tell 'em the third comman'ment1 and run away fast from them4 ,but if this is done in the fear of ,god1 and as a sort of prayer that ,he will hear and help us to tell that which is true1 it is not taking ,his name in vain1 ,lily1 said ,mr4 ,ward2 and to do it falsely is considered even by men to be a great crime4 ,this is called perjury2 and if any one is found guilty of it1 he is severely punished by the law4 ,now it may be wise1 and even necessary1 for a man to take an oath at such a time as this1 when the very life of another may depend on whether he tells the truth or no2 but it can hardly be necessary for one little girl at play with another to make her promise sure by swearing to it4 ,for to say 'by your sacred word and honor' is neither more nor less than a sort of swearing or taking an oath that what you say is true4 ,then we'll make a rule not to say it any more1 said ,lily4 ,we didn't know it was naughty before1 papa4 ,but please tell us now about other words4 ,daisy says we mustn't say 'mercy1' and 'gracious1' and 'heavens1' and maybe we mustn't2 but why is that swearing8 ,swearing is taking ,god's name in vain1 and how do such words take ,his name in vain if we don't speak it8 ,and she thinks playing with the ,bible1 or saying its words when we are playing or just talking common talk1 is taking ,god's name in vain1 too4 ,is it8 ,i will tell you1 said ,mr4 ,ward4 ,suppose1 ,lily1 that some great king or queen1 or the president of our own country1 were to come here2 would you not wish to be particularly polite and respectful to them1 both in your manner and way of speaking8 ,um-m-m1 ,i don't know1 answered ,lily1 doubtfully2 not partic'lar4 ,i guess ,i'd just as lieve be saucy to them as to any one else4 ,mr4 ,ward saw this would not do1 at least1 not for ,lily3 he must go higher than earthly rulers4 ,suppose1 then1 he said1 that ,jesus should come down here among us1 so that we could see ,him with our eyes1 walking and talking with us1 what would you all do8 ,i'd fall down and worship ,him1 said ,minnie4 ,i'd listen to every word ,he said1 and never speak one myself for fear ,i should miss one1 said ,daisy2 and then ,i'd remember them all the days of my life4 ,dear child6 said ,mr4 ,ward1 laying his hand fondly on hers3 ,i believe you do treasure your ,lord's words and try to live according to them4 ,i'd ask ,him to put ,his hand on my head and bless me just as ,he did those other little children when ,he was on earth before1 said ,lola1 softly4 ,so would ,i4 ,and ,i'd be glad there were no disciples to forbid us to come to ,him1 said ,lily4 ,i s'pose they thought ,jesus wouldn't care about children2 but ,he did1 didn't ,he8 ,and you wouldn't think so1 papa1 would you8 and the little child laid her hand lovingly against her father's cheek4 ,i'd keep very close to ,him all the time ,he was here1 and take fast hold of ,his hand1 only ,i wouldn't be troublesome1 but just keep as still as a mouse2 and ,i'd give ,him every thing of mine that ,he wanted4 ,so you would all show your love and reverence for ,him by every means in your power1 said ,mr4 ,ward1 trying not to grieve or offend ,him by treating ,his name or ,his presence with the least carelessness or disrespect1 but letting ,him see that you honored the one and were blessed by the other3 is it not so8 ,yes1 sir1 came from the older as well as the younger children4 ,and if1 after ,he had gone away1 ,he should send you each a letter1 telling you what ,he wanted you to do1 how you were to love and serve ,him1 and in which you would find all the advice1 help1 and comfort you might need at any time1--how would you treat that letter8 ,i'd keep it all my life1 and take such good care of it1 said ,rosie4 ,i'd read it1 and read it1 and read it2 and kiss it1 and kiss it1 and kiss it1 said ,lily1 and then ,i'd put it in my bosom1 and keep it1 oh6 so carefully4 ,and so would ,i1 and ,i1 and ,i1 said the rest1 satisfied to have ,lily for spokeswoman4 ,and if you saw any one misusing that letter1 how would you feel8 asked ,mr4 ,ward4 ,i'd be very provoked with them1 answered ,lily1 and ,i think ,i wouldn't love them any more1 'cept it was you1 papa1 or mamma1 or ,elly1 or any one of my own that ,i have to love2 and then ,i'd cry1 and ask you not to serve my ,jesus' letter so4 ,you mean the ,bible is ,jesus' letter to us3 don't you1 sir8 asked ,daisy4 ,yes2 and1 dear children1 our ,lord's presence is here among us as much as if ,he were in man's form which ,he once wore on earth4 ,his ear is as quick to hear our words of love and praise1 or those of carelessness and disrespect1 as it was then2 ,his eye as ready to see the use we make of the precious ,word ,he has given us4 ,but we forget this when we use ,his book more carelessly than we would any gift from an earthly friend1 or when we take ,his name lightly or without thought upon our lips4 ,to do this is to take it in vain1 and it displeases ,him4 ,but1 ,mr4 ,ward1 said ,minnie1 it is not cursing and swearing to say 'mercy1' and 'gracious1' and 'good ,lord1' and such things1 is it8 ,not cursing1 certainly3 that is to use ,god's name profanely1 or to call on ,him to destroy us or other people2 and this is a most terrible sin4 ,but1 ,minnie1 the use of such words in play or thoughtlessness is a bad habit1 and leads to worse4 ,suppose a man breaks open a bank here1 and takes all the money from it3 that is stealing1 is it not8 ,why1 yes1 sir1 answered ,minnie4 ,and suppose you take a sugar-plum belonging to your sister3 it is a very small thing compared to the money taken from the bank1 but is it not stealing1 all the same8 ,yes1 sir2 and if ,i was to be so bad as to take ,julia's sugar-plums1 ,i'm afraid ,i'd maybe steal something worse some time4 ,just so1 said the gentleman2 and now you see why it is not wise or right to make use of such expressions4 ,it is1 as ,lily says1 a kind of little swearing1 and may lead to worse4 ,besides1 it is very useless4 ,you can surely believe one another1--unless1 indeed1 it is some false and deceitful child1--without saying 'upon your sacred word and honor1' 'as sure as you live1' ',heaven knows1' and so forth4 ,and there is so little temptation to fall into this sin that it seems strange it should be so common4 ,there is nothing to be gained by it1 even of this world's good1--no pleasure1 no profit4 ,it is only an idle1 useless habit1 most displeasing and vexing to the holy ear of ,him whose commandment we break without thought or care4 ,goodness and mercy and graciousness belong to the ,almighty2 and so1 too1 we must take heed that we do not speak of what belongs to ,him in an irreverent1 careless way4 ,and now ,i think we have had enough talk on this subject for this afternoon4 ,you did not ask your friends here that ,i might lecture them4 ,oh1 yes6 ,i did1 papa1 said ,lily2 for we all deserved it very much1 'specially the big girls4 ,but1 papa1 do you believe the ,lord troubles ,himself to know where the girls put an old1 worn-out cushion1 and such things2 and if ,he does1 ought we to say ,he does8 ,god knows every thing1 ,lily2 even the smallest trifle is seen by ,him2 but it is very wrong to say1 in a heedless way1 'the ,lord knows1' for ,i suppose that is what you mean4 ,and this very thought1 that ,his eye and ,his ear are always with us1 noticing every word and look1 knowing the very feelings of our hearts1 should make us all the more careful how we use ,his holy name4 ,i am glad this question has come up among you2 for heedlessness in using ,god's name1 and other sacred words1 in quoting ,scripture1--talking ,bible1 my ,lily calls it1--and other such habits1 were becoming too common1 ,i fear1 among all the young people in ,glenwood2 and we older ones too1 ,i believe1 fall too often into the custom4 ,we have1 too many of us1 constant need of the prayer1 ',set a watch1 ,o ,lord1 upon my mouth2 keep the door of my lips4' ,it is ,daisy's doing1 sir1 that we have come to think of this1 said honest ,cora4 ,i1 for one1 have been very thoughtless about offending ,god in this way1 and have set a bad example to the rest4 ,i believe the little ones have caught it from us larger girls1 and we have to thank ,daisy that she has taught us a better lesson4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,daisy',s ,,name4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,viii4 ,,daisy',s ,,name4 ,,indade1 now1 and hasn't me words come true1 sir8 ,for wasn't ,i afther tellin' ye she was as nate a little lady as iver stepped in two shoes8 said ,betty ,macarthy1 as she stood with her arms akimbo1 her head on one side1 and her honest face one broad glow of delight and satisfaction1 gazing at the dainty-looking little creature who stood before her1 her young face bright with as much pleasure as ,betty's own4 ,for ,daisy's old friend had come to live at ,mrs4 ,forster's2 and this was the way it had been brought about4 ,the lady had wanted a laundress2 and1 thinking that ,betty1 who had once held that post in her father's family1 might know of one1 had begged the ,general to ask her4 ,no sooner had he put the question than ,betty eagerly answered she should be only too glad of the place herself2 for she was tired of her present position1 and a countrywoman of her own was ready to take it off her hands1 stock1 fixtures1 goodwill1 and all4 ,for her heart was sore for the child1 ,betty said1 and to be where she could see her every day1 and to live once more with ,miss ,gertrude1 would be almost as much happiness as she could wish for2 and then she would try to put ,jack out with some gardener to learn his trade1 for which he had always had a turn4 ,so the ,general1 having talked the matter over with his wife1 and mindful of the generous care and kindness shown to their ,daisy by these poor people1 not only told ,betty she should come to live with them1 but also put ,jack under his own gardener1 though there was really no need of any more hands about the place4 ,thus did the bread cast upon the waters by this kind-hearted ,irishwoman1 come back to her1 blessed sevenfold4 ,nothing was told to ,daisy of this arrangement till one afternoon1 when the ,general had returned from the city1 ,mrs4 ,forster said to her1 ,i am going to speak to the new laundress and gardener's boy4 ,come with me1 ,daisy2 and half wondering1 the little girl obeyed4 ,but her surprise soon changed into delight and gratitude when she saw who the new domestics were2 for1 in spite of all the pleasure she felt in her new way of life1 ,daisy's loving little heart often longed for the old friends who had been so good to her in her time of need1 and she wanted not only to see them1 but to share some of her many comforts with them4 ,so you may know how glad she was when her eye fell upon the two figures standing by the back door1 and she knew that they had been brought to live in the same place with her4 ,with an excitement very unusual in her1 she flew at ,betty1 and1 throwing both arms about her neck1 covered her broad1 smiling face with warm kisses4 ,betty returned them with a will1 holding her fast in both arms2 and then1 putting her from her and looking at her from head to foot1 put on an air of strong approval1 and spoke to the ,general in the words you have read at the beginning of this chapter4 ,an' isn't it fit for a princess1 she is8 she continued1 quite unable to keep back her admiration and pleasure at the child's improved appearance4 ,isn't it fit for a princess she is2 and ,saacyfuts or no ,saacyfuts1 isn't it a right her own folks would have to the name if they found her now8 ,sure ,i'd be saacy meself to have the ownin' of a child like that4 ,an' her not a bit spoiled1 but just as lovin' and free-like as when she had none but me an' ,jack4 ,then ,daisy was told she might take ,betty and ,jack away and show them the neat little wash-house1 shaded by a fine clump of trees1 with its nice bleaching and drying ground beyond1 its laundry on the first floor1 and two small bedrooms above1 where they were to sleep4 ,betty was enchanted1 and expressed over and over again her satisfaction at the change in her life4 ,it was far better1 she thought1 to stand at the wash-tub or ironing-table1 breathing the sweet country air1 with all its pleasant sights and sounds about her1 than to do the same at her stall in the hot1 dusty1 crowded city4 ,as for ,jack1 when he saw the splendid garden1 when ,daisy had led them there1 and knew it was to be his privilege to work among those lovely flowers1 he could not contain himself1 but shouted and shouted1 turned somersault after somersault1 till recalled to himself by ,betty's reminder that he must remember that ,margaret--she begged her pardon1--,miss ,daisy--was a little lady now1 and he must mind his manners before her4 ,but ,daisy was so like her old self1 so free from any pride or haughtiness in her new position1 that ,jack found it hard to remember she was any other than the little waif whom he had pitied and petted for so long2 and his manners were brought to his mind with much more force by the sight of the gray-haired old ,scotch gardener under whom he was to work1 and before whom his gambols ceased at once4 ,meanwhile ,general and ,mrs4 ,forster were talking on a very interesting subject1 for ,betty's words about ,daisy's lost friends had given the lady a new idea4 ,frank1 she said to her husband1 did you notice what ,betty said about ,daisy's friends8 ,yes1 he answered4 ,i hope she won't turn ,daisy's head and make her vain with her praise and flattery4 ,i'm not afraid1 said his wife4 ,daisy has a right to her name1 the modest1 unaffected little girl2 and she has too much sense to be spoiled by what she looks upon only as the overflowing of ,betty's affection4 ,but don't you know that the ,irish often say saacy when they mean proud8 ,oh1 yes4 ,i have often noticed it in people of ,betty's class1 answered the ,general2 but what has that to do with ,daisy's friends8 ,is it not possible that their name is ,proudfoot or ,proudfit1 and that ',saacyfut' is ,betty's way of calling it8 ,the ,general laughed heartily4 ,hardly1 ,i think1 he said2 and yet--,i do not know4 ,it may be4 ,but it never struck me4 ,it took a woman's wit to think of that4 ,we will ask ,daisy when she comes1 said ,mrs4 ,forster4 ,if ,proudfoot was their name1 she must remember it when she hears it spoken1 ,i think4 ,she can hardly have forgotten it so entirely that she would not recognize it4 ,and then1 if it should be so1 it will be a help to find her friends4 ,mrs4 ,forster spoke the last words more slowly4 ,yes1 said her husband1 giving words to the thought which had made her half unwilling to utter them2 and if found1 we must give up our ,daisy4 ,but we must not seek them the less for that1 she said1 or ,i shall feel as if we had found some lovely jewel that we were striving to hide from the rightful owner4 ,i know what terrible longings must fill her mother's heart2 and a tear dropped from ,mrs4 ,forster's eye on her baby's face1 as she clasped it more tenderly than ever in her arms4 ,daisy1 said the ,general that evening1 as the little girl stood by his knee1 did you ever hear the name of ,proudfoot8 ,daisy started1 drew a quick1 gasping breath1 and suddenly threw herself into his arms4 ,that is it6 she cried1 in a rapid1 excited manner1 that is it6 ,that is my name1 that is what they called papa and mamma4 ,i never heard it since2 but ,i know it now4 ,i am ,daisy ,proudfoot1 ,i am1 ,i am6 ,it was some time before the child's excitement could be calmed2 but there was no farther knowledge to be gained from her4 ,proudfoot was her name1 of that she was quite sure2 and the recollection of it at this late hour seemed to fill her with a kind of tremulous happiness2 but still she could not tell where she belonged4 ,betty too1 when she was asked if ,proudfoot was the name of ,daisy's mother1 answered1-- ,sure1 an' it was1 ma'am4 ,didn't ,i say so all along1 only she was always gainsayin' it8,a ,the matter was settled2 and ,general ,forster1 loath as he was to part with ,daisy1 feeling that he must leave no stone unturned to trace her friends1 again put advertisements in the papers1 saying1 that if any family of the name of ,proudfoot had had a child supposed to be lost at sea1 they might hear of her at such and such a place4 ,daisy was not told of this2 she was contented and happy in her new home and among her new friends1 and it was not thought best to disturb her mind with fresh hopes of finding those who might never come to claim her4 ,but although she was still called ,daisy ,forster by all in ,glenwood1 it was a satisfaction to herself and to the kind friends who had taken her up and cared for her1 to know the name which rightly belonged to her4 ,however1 days and weeks and months went by1 and still no one came to seek the ,daisy blossom which had been transplanted to such pleasant soil4 ,and there it grew and flourished1 and did its ,master's work2 proving how much even such a simple floweret can do by its own modest example and teaching to win others to honor ,him4 ,it was surprising to see how much her schoolmates thought of her opinion2 how they profited by the simple lesson she had taught them1 and tried to break themselves of the foolish and sinful habit into which nearly all of them had fallen1 of using sacred names and things in such a heedless1 unthinking manner4 ,it was not only the very little girls1 but the older ones also1 and even ,miss ,collins herself1 who learned from our ,daisy to set a watch upon their lips1 and to remember whose ear was ever present1 hearing each thoughtless word which dishonored ,him or that which especially belonged to ,him4 ,perhaps they gave more heed to ,daisy's words than they would have done to those of any other one of their number4 ,there was such a half-mystery about her1 and their thoughts were so tender towards her1 that they checked their heedless speech for her sake at first2 then1 as they learned to think more about it1 for a better and higher reason1 till at last the bad habit was broken up2 and if1 by chance1 such a word as mercy1 heavens1 good ,lord1 or the like1 came from the lips of any child1 the surprised and reproving looks of her companions told her of her fault1 and punished her sufficiently4 ,and the good influence spread far and wide4 ,since the little ones were so careful1 their parents and older friends felt that they1 too1 must take heed lest they offended in this way2 and so it came to pass that among the families of ,glenwood ,god's name and word came to be held in such true reverence and honor as had never been before4 ,and so nearly a year passed by1 and brought the ,daisy and her sister-flowerets to another spring4 ,,footnote3 ,a ,if this is considered far-fetched1 the writer can only say that ,betty's rendering of the name of ,proudfoot was actually given by a domestic in her own family1 and occasioned considerable bewilderment1 till the quick wit of one of its members solved the riddle4 ,illustration ,,the ,,lost ,,found4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,ix4 ,,the ,,lost ,,found4 ,,is that you1 ,daisy8 ,yes1 sir4 ,is that you1 ,uncle ,frank8 answered ,daisy1 playfully4 ,well1 ,i thought it was this morning when ,i went to town2 but ,i am doubtful of it now4 ,why8 asked ,daisy1 laughing1 as she reached up on tiptoe to offer the kiss with which she always welcomed her uncle on his return from the city4 ,baby ,daisy is not doubtful1 at least1 said ,mrs4 ,forster1 coming forward1 and putting her little daughter1 all crows and smiles1 in her father's arms4 ,let her pull your hair a little to convince you of the fact4 ,it will be difficult1 said the ,general4 ,there was a man in the cars so like me1 face1 height1 and figure1 that some of my friends were taking him for me2 others accusing me of having a brother whom ,i have never owned4 ,he sat two or three seats in front of me1 and ,i could not help being amused4 ,ward came in1 nodded familiarly to my double1 with1 ,how are you1 ,general8 passed on to me1 stopped1 and looked from one to the other with a mixture of surprise and curiosity that was droll2 then asked for information which ,i could not give him4 ,it was the same with many others4 ,i hope the stranger will keep himself out of mischief while he is in ,glenwood1 or ,i may be held responsible for his wrong doings4 ,did he come to ,glenwood8 asked ,daisy4 ,yes3 ,i left him standing on the platform at the station1 and ,i hardly knew whether my own carriage belonged to him or to me4 ,however1 he made no claim as ,i stepped into it4 ,who was he8 asked ,mrs4 ,forster4 ,did not you find out8 ,no4 ,no one could tell me1 and ,i could not go and ask the man who he was1 merely for the reason that he resembled me so much4 ,there1 there1 little woman1 as the baby gave a vigorous pull at his hair4 ,i've had enough of mamma's proofs1 and am satisfied that no other man than ,frank ,forster would submit to such usage at these tiny hands4 ,i rather imagine this stranger came up to look at ,beechgrove1 which is to let1 as ,i heard him asking the railway porter in which direction it lay1 and where the agent was to be found4 ,a fortnight went by1 and nothing more was seen of the stranger who looked so like ,general ,forster2 nor after that evening did the ,general or his wife think of him4 ,not so ,daisy4 ,she thought often of him with a kind of half wish that she might see him2 why she scarcely knew herself1 but she never spoke of it4 ,she was rather a shy1 quiet child1 keeping her ideas and wishes pretty much to herself1 unless they were drawn out by some one whom she loved or trusted2 and neither the ,general nor ,mrs4 ,forster suspected what was working in her mind4 ,her idea1 too1 that the ,general looked so like her own papa1 they regarded only as a childish fancy1 ready to see a likeness between the two she most admired and loved in all the world4 ,and they never imagined how the child was dreaming and wondering over this unseen stranger who had had such a passing interest for them4 ,meanwhile1 it became certain that ,beechgrove1 as the place was called1 was taken2 for the placards advertising it to rent were taken down1 and the house was going through a thorough cleaning4 ,but the ,general and his wife1 being people who never gossiped or concerned themselves about their neighbors' affairs1 did not trouble themselves in the matter4 ,and those who were curious and asked questions received no satisfaction from old ,dr4 ,harding1 who had charge of the property4 ,all ,miss ,collins' young scholars1 however1 thought themselves very much concerned in the letting of ,beechgrove1 and with good reason4 ,for a large aviary belonged to the place1 containing many rare and beautiful birds1 and the former owner1 who was fond of children1 often used to invite the young people of ,glenwood to see these birds1 and to amuse themselves in other ways about his grounds4 ,but since ,dr4 ,harding had had the care of the place1 not a child had been suffered to come within sight or hearing of the aviary1 which had a new charm for them since it was a forbidden pleasure4 ,so the new occupants of ,beechgrove1 and the question as to whether they were likely to recover their old privileges there or no1 had been a subject of great interest to our young friends1 and they were very anxious for information on the matter4 ,one morning when ,daisy came to school1 she found the rest of the class grouped about ,mattie ,prime and ,rosie ,pierson1 who lived beyond ,beechgrove1 and had to pass it on their way to ,miss ,collins'4 ,the new people have gone to ,beechgrove1 said ,violet ,swan1 when ,daisy asked what they were talking about2 and ,mattie and ,rosie saw a little girl there this morning4 ,we are glad there is a child there1 because maybe having her will make the papa good to other children1 and he will let us go in and see the birds because of her4 ,she's a very little thing1 said ,rosie4 ,she can't speak plain4 ,such a crooked tongue4 ,but she's very cunning1 said ,mattie4 ,we were going past the gate and she called out to us1 ',itty dirls1 itty dirls2' and when we stopped she put her face through the rails to kiss us1 and handed us some flowers she had4 ,she was real sweet4 ,what is her name8 asked ,daisy4 ,we asked her1 but we could not make out what she said4 ,mamy ,modwit it sounded like2 but she did speak so crooked1 said ,mattie4 ,do you know1 said ,rosie1 ,i think she looked like ,daisy4 ,don't you1 ,mattie8 ,why1 so she does1 said ,mattie4 ,isn't that funny8 ,only ,daisy's eyes always look sorry except when she is laughing or speaking1 and that little girl's were so full of mischief and laughing4 ,how big was she8 asked ,lola4 ,oh1 about as large as your sister ,bertie4 ,not near old enough to come to school4 ,i s'pose there are no other children but her1 said ,fanny ,delisle4 ,willie saw the family come yesterday2 and he said there were only the lady and gentleman1 and the little girl and servants4 ,if there are no children as old as us1 maybe it won't come into their heads to let us see the aviary again4 ,this short conversation put an end to the half hope1 half wish1 that had been in ,daisy's heart4 ,even supposing the stranger who looked so like ,general ,forster were the gentleman who had taken ,beechgrove1 he could be nothing to her 7not until now had she said even to herself that she had hoped it might be so71 for the family did not answer to her own4 ,she had papa and mamma1 little brother ,theodore1 and a baby sister1 a very little baby2 and only this child of three years old or more seemed to belong to the new-comers2 and she had no sister so old4 ,daisy reasoned this all out for herself with a sad1 disappointed little heart1 forgetting that time had not stood still with her own family any more than it had with her1 and that changes might have come to them as well as to herself4 ,this was on ,friday1 and nothing more was seen or heard of the strangers by ,daisy or her playmates1 till ,sunday came4 ,but then such a strange and happy thing came to pass1 and in such a wonderful way4 ,just like a book thing1 ,lily ,ward afterwards said4 ,it was the loveliest of ,sabbath days1 and every thing seemed to feel it4 ,what day is it1 ,bertie8 asked ,mr4 ,swan1 as his youngest daughter stood on the piazza steps ready for church4 ,jesus' happy ,sunday1 answered the little one2 and1 oh1 didn't ,he mate a nice one6 ,other people than ,bertie thought so2 a nice one indeed4 ,it was the softest1 sweetest1 warmest of ,may ,sundays4 ,a busy little breeze1 carrying with it the perfume of the apple-blossoms over which it had passed1 stole in at the open windows of the church1 and wandered around among aisles1 pillars1 and pews1 now fluttering the leaves of a book1 now toying with a ribbon1 now tossing a curl upon some sunny head1 now fanning some cheek flushed with a walk in the almost summer heat4 ,a robin1 saucy birdie1 swung himself lightly to and fro on the branch of one of the fine old elms outside the church-door1 and poured forth his hymn of praise2 while from far and near came the answering notes of his mates2 and mingling with his song were heard the voices of the children in the ,sunday school beyond1 as they sang the closing hymn4 ,then they came trooping in gently1 and with soft footsteps1 as became the house of ,god 7honoring ,his name and ,his word had taught them also to honor the place where ,he was worshipped71 and took their places beside their parents and friends4 ,watching them from one of the pews which ran by the side of the pulpit1 were a pair of roguish1 dancing eyes1 which ,rosie ,pierson and ,mattie ,prime recognized at once4 ,they were those of the little girl who had peeped at them through the railing of the ,beechgrove grounds4 ,now they were peeping over the top of the pew-door as she stood at its foot1 her hands crossed upon it1 her chin resting upon them4 ,what a bright1 merry1 laughing face it was1 and how like ,daisy's6 ,general and ,mrs4 ,forster had noticed it from their seat1 which commanded a full view of that of the strangers4 ,beside the little girl sat a gentleman1 half turned from the congregation1 his face partly shaded by his hand2 but there could be no doubt that he was the man who was so like the ,general4 ,mrs4 ,forster saw the likeness at once1 even in the turn and shape of his head4 ,beyond him was a lady in deep mourning1 closely veiled4 ,frank must find out who they are1 said ,mrs4 ,forster to herself4 ,that child is so like ,daisy4 ,can it be--oh1 can it be8 ,then she tried to collect her thoughts and bring them back to the service of ,him whom she had come to worship4 ,daisy came in a little behind the rest of the infant class 7she had lingered for a word with her teacher71 and took her seat4 ,almost immediately her eye fell on the new-comers to ,glenwood4 ,mrs4 ,forster saw her start1 flush all over1 neck and face1 and press her small hands tightly together1 as if trying to keep back some exclamation which rose to her lips4 ,with a beating heart the child watched the strangers1 striving in vain to get a better view of the face of the gentleman1 gazing from him to the veiled lady1 and then at the little girl4 ,the bell ceased tolling1 the congregation were gathered1 the hour of service had come1 and the clergyman rose in the pulpit4 ,but at that moment the lady drew aside her veil2 and ere ,dr4 ,parker had opened his lips1 a little voice rang through the still church4 ,mamma6 ,oh1 my own mamma6 ,how much was in those few words6 ,what a tale they told6 ,what a world of longing1 of love1 of joy1 they held6 ,the stranger lady--ah6 no stranger was she to our ,daisy--started to her feet1 stretched out her hands1 then with a little cry sank fainting into the arms of the gentleman who had also suddenly arisen4 ,she was carried out2 ,general and ,mrs4 ,forster following with the excited1 trembling ,daisy2 and so the father and mother found the long-lost child4 ,who could describe it8 ,who could find words for the joy1 the wonder1 the gratitude of those concerned2 who tell the sympathy which filled the hearts of all in that congregation1 which dimmed their eyes with tears1 and filled their hearts with adoration1 as1 before another word of the morning service was begun1 the beloved minister called on all to render thanks for the great and signal mercy just shown to those long-parted parents and their little one6 ,and now there is little more to tell4 ,only how ,daisy's mamma1 and the little sister whom she remembered only as a tiny baby1 had been rescued from the sinking ship with some of the other passengers2 how1 having been unable to trace their lost treasure1 and believing that the boat1 with all whom it contained1 had gone down in the deep waters1 the parents had gone abroad1 where they had remained till a few months before this time1 and so had never seen the advertisements which might have told them she was still living3 all this was soon explained4 ,and then ,daisy must tell her story1 and ,betty must come in to help her out where memory failed and the past was a blank1 because of that long1 wasting illness4 ,and how ,betty laughed and cried by turns1 and would hear of no praise or thanks for what she had done1 declaring that ,miss ,daisy had done her and ,jack far more good nor she resaved1 taching them to mind their tongues afore ,god ,almighty4 ,and though ,general and ,mrs4 ,forster must now give up1 to her rightful owners1 the darling of whom they had grown so fond1 yet they did not have to part with her altogether2 for she was so near to them that they saw her every day2 indeed1 the two families became almost as one1 and ,daisy felt as if she had two homes4 ,the little brother1 whom ,daisy remembered so well1 had gone to a home beyond the sky1 but a few weeks before her father and mother came to ,glenwood4 ,and so the ,daisy blossom1 which had been parted from its parent stem and cast by the wayside1 where stranger hands had gathered and lovingly tended it1 was planted once more in the soil where it belonged1 after it had done the ,master's work1 and scattered the good seed which budded for ,his glory2 proving well1 that those who honor the ,lord ,he will delight to honor4 ,illustration ,cambridge3 ,press of ,john ,wilson ,son