,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,new original cover art included with this e,book is granted to the public domain4 ,illustration3 ,lolla2 or1 ,the ,sin of ,greediness4 ,she put in her finger1 and scooping up a large mouthful1 she hastily swallowed it4 ,,lolla2 ,,or1 ,the ,sin of ,greediness4 ,,by ,,lucy ,,ellen ,,guernsey -------------------- ,,philadelphia3 ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union ,,no4 #aabb ,,chestnut ,,street4 -------------------- ,,new ,,york3 #eii ,,broadway4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahfg1 by the ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union1 in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of the ,united ,states for the ,eastern ,district of ,pennsylvania4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ,,contents4 ------------ ,,chap4 ,i4--,,lolla ,,at ,,home ,,ii4--,,lolla ,,in ,,dorchester ,,iii4--,,the ,,mouse ,,iv4--,,bread ,,in ,,secret ,v4--,,the ,,ice-,,cream ,,vi4--,,the ,,consequence ,,lolla2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,sin ,,of ,,greediness4 ------------ ,,chapter ,i4 ,,lolla ,,at ,,home4 ,,seems to me ,lolla does not eat any breakfast1 said ,aunt ,delight1 looking at a little girl who sat opposite to her at the table1 with a well-filled plate before her1 upon which1 however1 she did not seem to be making any impression4 ,she never does1 said ,lolla's mother4 ,she never seems to have any appetite in the morning4 ,she complains that nothing tastes good to her2 and she almost always gets up tired and feverish4 ,that is a pity1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,little folks ought to be hungry in the morning1 and to be as fresh and lively as birds and lambs are4 ,we must see if we cannot cure that when we get her down in ,dorchester4 ,i dare say the sea-air will help her1 said ,lolla's mother4 ,i remember how hungry it used to make me when ,i was a little girl4 ,i am very uneasy about ,lolla1 sometimes4 ,it seems so unnatural for a child to be so languid in the morning4 ,but you are quite sure1 ,aunt ,delight1 that you do not want to take nurse with you8 ,i am quite sure1 my dear ,laura4 ,in the first place1 ,i have no room for her2 and in the second place1 ,i have nothing for her to do4 ,then who will take care of me1 ,aunt ,delight8 asked ,lolla1 very much interested in the discussion4 ,i expect you will take care of yourself and of me too1 replied ,aunt ,delight1 smiling4 ,lolla looked as if she were doubtful whether to be pleased or alarmed at this project4 ,but she was very much delighted at the idea of the long journey1 and the summer in ,dorchester with ,aunt ,delight1 and not displeased at being spoken to as if she were something more than a baby3 so she made no further objections4 ,lolla's father and mother lived in a very fine place near one of the great ,western cities2 but they were expecting to break up and remove to ,california during the summer1 and it had been settled that ,lolla was to go to ,dorchester and spend a year at least with her mother's aunt1 ,miss ,delight ,wentworth1 who had a pretty place of her own and was famous for her skill in nursing the sick and managing and teaching children4 ,lolla was considered rather a delicate child1 and her mother had been out of health ever since her daughter was born2 for which reasons it was thought best for both that they should be separated for a time4 ,about ten o'clock1 as ,aunt ,delight was passing through the kitchen1 she saw nurse giving ,lolla a large piece of loaf-cake4 ,eating so soon after breakfast8 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,why1 you know1 aunt1 ,i did not eat any breakfast1 replied ,lolla1 in rather a tone of apology4 ,she has got into a bad way about eating1 that's a fact1 said nurse4 ,she doesn't eat at meals1 and she is always wanting something between-times2 but her mother thinks there is no help for it4 ,now you will see that she won't want any thing at dinner2 and by-and-by she will be asking for another piece of cake4 ,do you think it is good for her to eat in that way8 ,well1 no1 ,i don't4 ,she is spoiling her teeth1 for one thing4 ,but1 being the only child for so long1--and delicate besides1--,mrs4 ,lane has got in the way of indulging her4 ,she is a good child1 too1 in most things2 but it won't do her any harm to have a change4 ,she cares ,were for eating than for any thing else4 ,as nurse had predicted1 ,lolla had no appetite for her dinner1--at least for the solid parts of it2 but she ate two plates of rich pudding1 and then she had almonds and raisins1 besides filling her pocket with the nuts1 which she was munching all the afternoon4 ,a large piece of fresh maple-sugar helped the almonds to fill up the interval between dinner and tea1 when ,lolla supped upon pound-cake1 preserved melon and cottage-cheese4 ,in the evening some friends came in1 and about ten o'clock ,lolla had her share of the supper prepared for them4 ,as ,aunt ,delight noted all these things1 she no longer wondered that ,lolla did not sleep well and had no appetite for her breakfast4 ,she was not one of those people who think that children should never have any thing that they like2 but she made up her mind that when ,lolla came under her own care she should make some change in her habits4 ,well1 ,lolla1 have you said good-by to all your pets8 asked ,aunt ,delight1 as she met ,lolla at breakfast on the day set for their journey4 ,lolla did not seem as languid as usual1 this morning4 ,her cheeks had a little colour1 her eyes were bright1 and she ate her bread-and-butter as if she liked it4 ,oh1 yes1 aunt4 ,i have been out to the barn and the pasture to see the calves and the colts1 and down by the river to see the little ducks1 and over to ,mrs4 ,merrie's to bid good-by to ,fanny and ,jenny4 ,i have been up and running about ever since five o'clock2 and ,i am so hungry1--you can't think6 ,i believe it makes people hungry to get up early in the morning4 ,it is said to have that effect1 replied ,aunt ,delight1 smiling4 ,but finish your breakfast1 my dear4 ,we have no time to lose4 ,the carriage came to the door1 the last good-byes were said1 and ,aunt ,delight and her little niece were soon speeding away over the ,michigan ,central ,railroad4 ,lolla felt very sadly at leaving home1 and cried bitterly at parting from father1 mother and nurse4 ,but children are usually easily diverted from their grief2 and ,lolla's tears were soon dried4 ,she had never been upon the railroad before2 and she enjoyed the rapid motion1 the constant change of scene1 and the novelty of staying in a great hotel over-night4 ,she thought it rather hard that her aunt should refuse to buy oranges1 candy and maple-sugar of all the boys who came upon the train1 and a very unlucky circumstance that the package of rich cake and confectionery which her mother had put up for her should somehow have been lost directly1 so that they had nothing left for their luncheon except biscuits1 cold chicken and sponge-cake4 ,but there was so much to see1 and the change of air made her so hungry1 that she did not feel disposed to complain3 besides that1 she felt too much awe of her aunt to go into one of her tantrums1 as nurse used to call them4 ,the travellers arrived at home late in the evening2 and when ,lolla entered her aunt's cottage in ,dorchester1 she was too sleepy to notice any thing1 except that her room was of an odd shape1 and her little low bed very comfortable4 ,come1 ,lolla1 said ,aunt ,delight1 entering the room1 next morning1 just as ,lolla was rubbing her eyes2 breakfast is almost ready4 ,i have let you sleep late this morning1 because you were tired4 ,here is your bath1 all ready to brighten you up4 ,now let us see how soon you will be dressed4 ,nurse used to dress me at home1 said ,lolla1 rather doubtfully4 ,yes1 but nurse is not here2 and1 besides1 you are old enough to wait upon yourself4 ,you are eight years old1 are you not8 ,yes1 aunt1--on my last birthday4 ,well1 when ,i was as old as you1 ,i dressed myself and my little brother every morning1 besides putting my own room in order4 ,you do not want to be a baby all your days1 do you8 ,come2 don't dawdle1 but lace your boots quickly1 and then put on the rest of your things1 and ,i will fasten them for you4 ,is this my room1 aunt8 asked ,lolla4 ,yes1 ,lolla4 ,how do you like it8 ,i think it is beautiful1 replied ,lolla1 looking around upon the neat1 old-fashioned furniture1 the pretty red-and-white matting1 and the little book-case full of books4 ,i never had a room of my own before4 ,what a funny window6 ,it is like a little room by itself4 ,oh1 aunt1 what is that out there8 exclaimed ,lolla1 catching a glimpse through the curtains of something bright and blue1 and speckled with large and small white dots4 ,that 'blue1' ,i mean4 ,that is the sea1--or the bay1 rather1 replied ,aunt ,delight1 smiling at ,lolla's excitement4 ,don't you remember ,i told you1 you would be able to see the ships and the bay from your window8 ,see1 there is a great steamer coming in4 ,it must be the ocean steamer from ,liverpool4 ,there seemed some danger that ,lolla would not get dressed at all1 so much interested was she in watching the steamer1 and the fishing-boats1 and a large ship just going out of the bay2 but ,aunt ,delight found no fault with her4 ,she knew how interesting all these things must be to the little girl who had never seen ships or salt water before4 ,at last1 however1 ,lolla was dressed2 and she was about to run down-stairs at once1--when her aunt stopped her4 ,it seems to me that you have forgotten something1 ,lolla1 said she1 gravely4 ,have ,i8 asked ,lolla1 surveying her dress4 ,i don't see any thing1 except my apron2 and you know you said you would give me a clean one out of the trunk4 ,i was not thinking of your dress1 but of something else4 ,lolla still looked puzzled4 ,who has taken care of you all night while you have been asleep1 and kept you from harm all through this long journey8 ,and who is it you should ask to take care of you through the day8 ,oh1 you mean saying my prayers1 said ,lolla4 ,but1 aunt1 ,i never said my prayers in the morning1--only at night4 ,then you don't want ,god to take care of you in the daytime8 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,you think1 perhaps1 that you can do that for yourself8 ,somehow1 there never seems to be any time in the morning1 said ,lolla4 ,one has to hurry so to get ready for breakfast4 ,then one must get up earlier in the morning1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,but you will have plenty of time4 ,i told ,sarah to ring the bell five minutes before breakfast was ready4 ,i will wait for you in my room4 ,lolla1 did not feel very much like saying her prayers2 but she did not like to dispute with her aunt3 so she hastily repeated the ,lord's ,prayer1 without thinking much of its meaning1 and then joined her aunt in her own room1 and they went down-stairs together4 ,the breakfast-room would have been a large one if it had not been cut up into so many angles and corners4 ,there was a large chimney1 with a high1 old-fashioned wooden mantel-piece1 and a deep recess containing a book-case on each side of it4 ,there was another deep recess1 where stood a large1 carved mahogany side-board4 ,there was a corner cupboard1 with glass doors1 which seemed to be filled with china4 ,there were two windows with deep window-seats1 and a glass door opening into the garden4 ,the walls were covered with old-fashioned paper ornamented with lilies and roses1 with gayly-feathered birds flying about and perching on the flowers2 and there were many pictures and prints1 in black and gold frames4 ,the breakfast-table was set for them1 and looked very inviting1 with its snowy cloth and shining china and silver4 ,whose place is that1 aunt8 asked ,lolla4 ,that is ,mr4 ,locke's place2 but he will not be here this morning1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,he has gone over to ,boston1 and will breakfast with a friend4 ,this is your chair4 ,lolla slipped into her chair4 ,she was very hungry1 and could not help taking a sly survey of the table1 even while her aunt was saying grace1 to see what they were likely to have for breakfast4 ,there was a loaf of white bread1 and another of brown1 upon a beautifully-carved wooden plate4 ,there was a silver egg-boiler1 a pitcher of milk1 and a dish of cold ham2 and that was all4 ,presently1 however1 ,aunt ,delight rang her bell1 and ,sarah brought in a plate of hot toast1 and a coffee-pot4 ,what is that1 aunt8 said ,lolla1 pointing to the egg-boiler4 ,that is a boiler to cook the eggs1 replied her aunt1 as she opened the cover and took out the rack filled with eggs4 ,did you never see one before8 ,no1 replied ,lolla4 ,mary always boils ours in a kettle2 but ,i think this is a much nicer way4 ,our eggs are always too hard1 or too soft1 or something4 ,she had another question on her tongue's end2 but she did not quite like to ask it4 ,at last1 however1 out it came4 ,aunt ,delight1 don't you have any meat for breakfast8 ,no beefsteak1 or chicken1 or any thing8 ,sometimes1 replied her aunt4 ,don't you call cold ham meat8 ,oh1 yes1 replied ,lolla1 feeling rather ashamed of her question4 ,only ,i thought ,i would just ask1 because--because-- ,lolla paused in some confusion4 ,she did not exactly know what to say4 ,i dare say you can make a breakfast on ham-and-eggs and bread-and-butter1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,was it wrong to ask1 aunt8 ,oh1 no4 ,but1 ,lolla1 it is not usually considered very polite to make remarks upon what is on the table4 ,little girls should eat what is set before them1 without saying very much about it4 ,see here3 you shall have your coffee in this silver cup1 which belonged to your great-grandmother1--and her grandmother before her1 for aught ,i know4 ,just think how many little girls must have drunk out of it before you4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,lolla ,,in ,,dorchester4 ,,now1 ,lolla1 can ,i trust you to run about by yourself for a while8 asked ,aunt ,delight1 when breakfast was done and family prayers were over4 ,i don't exactly know what you mean1 aunt1 said ,lolla4 ,can ,i trust you not to pick the flowers1 or tread upon the flower-beds1 or meddle with what does not belong to you8 ,if so1 you may go where you like about the house and garden2 but you must not go outside the gate unless ,i give you leave4 ,i suppose you will be like a kitten brought into a strange house3 you will like to make acquaintance with every thing about you4 ,i won't meddle with any thing1 said ,lolla4 ,but why may ,i not go into the street1 ,aunt ,delight8 ,for this reason1 among others3 that you might easily get lost1 and it would not perhaps be so easy to find you again4 ,may ,i go down to the gate and look-out8 asked ,lolla4 ,yes1 if you do not go outside4 ,by-and-by we will begin some lessons2 for it will not do to play all the time4 ,but to-day ,i am going to be busy about the house all the morning3 so you will know where to find me if you want me4 ,lolla was pleased with the permission to go where she liked1--and pleased1 too1 with being trusted4 ,she spent an hour or two very pleasantly in exploring the garden and greenhouses1 and going about the house1 where there seemed so many pictures1 and books1 and curious boxes1 and china vases1 and pots1 and bowls4 ,one pair of vases1 which stood in the hall1 especially excited her curiosity1 they were so very large4 ,they were nearly as tall as herself2 she thought she could have got into one of them easily1--and had covers1 which fastened with large metal hinges and hasps4 ,then she put on her hat again and went down to the gate1 where she saw a little boy mounted on a ,shetland pony not much larger than her father's great ,newfoundland dog1 and a girl driving a little donkey in a low wagon1 and some cows in a field opposite1 each with a thin blanket on to keep off the flies1 and each one tethered to a stake by a long rope4 ,well1 thought ,lolla1 they seem to take a great deal of care of their cows2 but if ,i were a cow1 ,i should rather be running about on the prairie than be tied up in that way4 ,just then she heard a church-clock strike eleven1 and she remembered that it was more than two hours since she had had any thing to eat3 so she sauntered slowly to the house1 and went in at the back door4 ,she found ,aunt ,delight in her neat little store-room1 surrounded by shelves full of preserves and canned fruit1 stone jars which reminded one of pickles and cake1 bunches of sweet and medicinal herbs1 and bottles and jugs of all shapes and sizes4 ,please1 aunt1 said ,lolla1 ,i want something to eat4 ,do you8 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,for what8 ,lolla smiled at the oddness of the question4 ,because ,i am hungry1 aunt4 ,are you sure it is because you are hungry1 or because you are used to eating just about this time8 ,but never mind4 ,go to ,sarah1 in the kitchen1 and ask her to give you a piece of bread-and-butter4 ,i don't like bread-and-butter very much1 said ,lolla4 ,nurse used to give me a piece of cake4 ,i don't like little girls to be always eating sweet things1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,it is bad for their teeth and for their health4 ,if you are really hungry1 bread-and-butter will taste good to you4 ,if you are not hungry1 you do not want any thing4 ,mother lets me have cake1 persisted ,lolla2 and ,i guess she knows what is good for me as well as anybody4 ,see here1 ,lolla1 said ,aunt ,delight1 sitting down1 and drawing the little girl to her side3 ,i cannot have any argument with you about these things4 ,your mother has trusted you to me1 to be taken care of and treated as ,i think best4 ,she knows all about my ways of management1--because ,i brought her up till she was fourteen years old2 and she knows ,i intend to do as ,i think right with you4 ,when ,i tell you to do a thing1 ,i do not expect you to tell me what somebody else does or thinks1 but to be governed by what ,i think4 ,now go and get your bread-and-butter1 if you want it2 and if not1 let it alone4 ,i don't want it1 said ,lolla1 with an air of disgust4 ,i haven't any appetite for such things4 ,very well1 said ,aunt ,delight1 smiling4 ,i dare say you will find your appetite by dinner-time4 ,do you want to go and play1 or would you rather stay and help me8 ,i am going to take my ,indian curiosities out of the cabinet and dust them4 ,lolla did not exactly know what to do4 ,she felt very much abused1 and a good deal like sulking about it2 but1 then1 she wanted to see the curiosities1 and she had1 besides1 a feeling that sulking was not likely to answer a very good purpose3 so she slowly followed ,aunt ,delight into the parlour1 which was across the hall from the breakfast-room4 ,she had peeped in before1 but the blinds were closed and the curtains down1 so that she could not see any thing4 ,aunt ,delight drew up the curtains and opened the shutters4 ,what a pretty room6 exclaimed ,lolla4 ,i do think1 aunt1 you have the most beautiful things6 ,i don't see where you got so many splendid vases4 ,they have been accumulating for a long time1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,some of our family have been in the ,india trade ever since there has been any ,india trade in ,boston2 and they are always bringing home things4 ,see1 here is my ,india cabinet4 ,a real ,india cabinet1 just like the one in ,rosamund6 exclaimed ,lolla1 forgetting all about the bread-and-butter question at once4 ,are there any branches of coral in it8 ,we shall see1 said ,aunt ,delight1 unlocking the little drawers4 ,there is no telling what we may find4 ,no telling1 indeed4 ,what wonderful things there were in that cabinet6 ,shells and corals1 curious gold and silver coins1 butterflies and beetles looking as if made of jewels1 little boxes and balls carved with figures1 pictures upon rice-paper of birds and flowers and ,chinese men and women4 ,i could not begin to tell you half the things there were in that cabinet4 ,aunt ,delight took them out and handed them to ,lolla1 who laid them carefully on the table set to receive them4 ,every article had a story to it1 and ,aunt ,delight was ready to answer all ,lolla's questions4 ,she gave the little girl a number of pretty things for her own1 and a beautiful little ,japan work-box in the shape of a cabinet1 covered with gilded figures of cranes flying and perching1 and having drawers lined with a sweet-scented wood1 which ,aunt ,delight said was sandal-wood4 ,there6 ,we have made a good morning's work1 said ,aunt ,delight1 as she closed the last drawer4 ,now put away the dust-pan and brush in the back entry1 and1 as you come back1 look at the clock and tell me what time it is4 ,why1 aunt1 it only wants a quarter of one6 exclaimed ,lolla1 in great surprise4 ,and ,sarah has set the table4 ,she says dinner will be ready in a quarter of an hour4 ,i did not think it was nearly dinner-time3 did you8 ,aunt ,delight smiled4 ,you will just have time to wash your hands and brush your hair nicely4 ,run upstairs1 and don't waste any time4 ,lolla thought every thing tasted unusually good at dinner4 ,she thought the air of ,dorchester must make people very hungry4 ,she had not cared any thing about roast beef and mashed potatoes for a long time1 and seldom ate any meat at dinner when she was at home4 ,mr4 ,locke was at dinner4 ,he was a pale1 thin1 delicate-looking young gentleman1 who wore spectacles and ate very little2 but he was pleasant and kind in his manners1 and ,lolla thought she should like him very much4 ,she wondered how he came to be living with ,aunt ,delight1 and thought she would ask by-and by4 ,are you going to feel well enough to give some time to this little girl lessons1 ,mr4 ,locke8 asked ,aunt ,delight4 ,certainly1 replied ,mr4 ,locke1 smiling kindly upon ,lolla4 ,when shall we begin8 ,after a day or two4 ,she will need a little time to run about and get used to her new home4 ,next week1 ,i think1 we will look up some school-books1 and see what we can do4 ,lolla looked rather alarmed at the idea of lessons4 ,my mother never lets me go to school1 said she2 ,i have the headache so much4 ,no one has said any thing about your going to school1 returned ,aunt ,delight1 dryly4 ,as to your headaches1 ,i think they will be better after a while4 ,you are growing a great girl1 and cannot afford to waste all your time4 ,will you have some pudding8 ,for the next week ,lolla did nothing but amuse herself4 ,she played about the yard and garden1 read story-books1 looked at pictures1 and1 in short1 did what she liked4 ,twice she went into ,boston on the horse-cars with her aunt2 and on one of these occasions they went into a shop and had some ice-cream1 to ,lolla's great satisfaction4 ,won't you buy me some candy1 ,aunt ,delight8 said she1 as they passed through the shop4 ,not to-day1 replied ,aunt ,delight4 ,a saucer of ice-cream does very well for once1 ,i think4 ,father used always to buy me candy when we went into town1 murmured ,lolla4 ,my dear child1 how much you do think about eating6 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,seems to me ,i would try to find pleasure in other things1 if ,i were you4 ,candy is very unsuitable for you now1 and1 besides1 it is a very bad habit to fall into1 that of thinking you must always have something to munch1 like one of the little guinea-pigs we saw just now4 ,oh1 dear1 said ,lolla to herself1 how ,i do want some candy6 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,mouse4 ,,miss ,,delight1 ,i think there must be mice in the store-room cupboards1 said ,sarah to her mistress1 one morning after breakfast4 ,i find the cake and biscuits crumbed and nibbled2 and the crackers go away faster than they ought ,i am sure4 ,and just see here how this syrup from the dish of plums ,i set away yesterday is trailed upon the shelf4 ,nasty little things6 ,if there is any thing ,i do hate1 it is a mouse4 ,you must shut ,dragon into the store-room at night1 and move the things away so that he can get about on the shelves1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,it is a long time since we have had any mice in the house4 ,the old cat must be growing lazy4 ,i am not so sure about the mice1 either1 said ,sarah1 in a low tone4 ,i am afraid ,philly has been at her old tricks again4 ,mice would not carry away whole slices of cake and lumps of sugar4 ,hardly1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,but ,i don't like to suspect ,philly1--she has done so much better lately2 and ,i do think she is trying to be a good girl4 ,well1 we shall see1 said ,sarah4 ,i mean to keep a sharp look-out upon her4 ,i don't know how it is1 but ,i never can trust her4 ,take care1 ,sarah1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,remember1 charity thinketh no evil4 ,do not begin ,with a prejudice against the child4 ,well1 ,i can't help it1 said ,sarah4 ,when ,i do like people1 ,i do2 and when ,i don't1 ,i don't2 and that is all about it4 ,now1 ,i took to ,lolla1 from the first4 ,i'll be bound you won't find any underhand sly ways about her4 ,but ,philly has such a down kind of look4 ,you must remember how differently the two children have been treated1 replied ,aunt ,delight4 ,lolla has never had occasion to be afraid of any thing or anybody2 but poor ,philly has been a slave all her life1 and her mother before her4 ,i expected she would make us a good deal of trouble4 ,you know we talked of that before she came to us1 and we agreed to have patience with her faults as long as there was a prospect of doing her any good2 and you must admit that she has improved4 ,sarah observed that there was room for improvement still4 ,that is the case with all of us1 said ,aunt ,delight1 dryly4 ,well1 say nothing1 ,sarah1 at present4 ,we shall soon find out about the matter4 ,the next day but one1 as ,aunt ,delight was passing through the pantry1 she heard ,sarah's voice in the pantry1 and looked in to see what was the matter4 ,just see here1 ma'am1 said ,sarah4 ,last night ,i found the plums all spilled on the shelf again4 ,so ,i thought ,i would watch2 and this morning1 when ,philly came in to put the spoons away1 ,i thought she was a long time about it3 so ,i followed her1 and found her at the open cupboard-door1 with a teaspoon in her hand sticking all over with the plum-syrup4 ,if that is not proof1 ,i don't know what is6 concluded ,sarah1 triumphantly4 ,i knew very well ,i should catch her at her tricks4 ,i didn't never touch the plums1 sobbed ,philly4 ,i only-- ,oh1 you only--,you only went 'snooping' in the closet1 said ,sarah1 severely4 ,it's no use6 ,i caught you at it6 ,wait a little1 ,sarah1 if you please1 said ,aunt ,delight1 quietly4 ,let me hear ,philly's own story4 ,that is but justice4 ,now1 ,philly1 tell me all about it2 and be sure you tell the truth4 ,don't be afraid3 you shall not be condemned unjustly4 ,how was it8 ,i was jes puttin' away de spoons1 began ,philly1 falling back into her native negro dialect2 but ,aunt ,delight interrupted her4 ,speak quite plainly1 ,philly1 and then ,i shall know you think of every word you are saying4 ,go on4 ,i was just putting away the spoons1 continued ,philly1 this time pronouncing her words carefully1 and ,i thought the row of teaspoons looked as if there was one gone2 and ,i counted them1 and there was2 and ,i began to look round for it1 and ,i saw that cupboard-door partly open3 so ,i thought ,i would look in there1 and there ,i found the spoon in the dish of plums2 and ,i was just taking it out when ,sarah came in4 ,a likely story1 indeed6 said ,sarah1 with a sneer4 ,didn't ,i put away the dish of plums myself last night8 ,and shouldn't ,i have seen it if there had been a teaspoon in the dish8 ,don't tell me6 ,i can't help it1 said ,philly4 ,i found it there1 and ,i know ,i didn't put it there4 ,that's all ,i know4 ,come into my room1 ,philly1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,i will talk to you there4 ,philly followed willingly enough4 ,she was beginning to have great confidence in ,aunt ,delight's justice as well as in her kindness4 ,she answered all questions readily1 and did not vary at all from her first story4 ,well1 ,philly1 ,i don't know what to think1 said ,aunt ,delight1 at length4 ,you have been such a good girl lately that ,i do not like to believe you are telling me a story4 ,appearances are against you2 but that happens with innocent people1 sometimes4 ,it is a rule in law that people are to be supposed innocent till they are proved guilty3 so1 unless ,i see something else to condemn you1 ,i shall say nothing more about this affair4 ,get your book now1 and read to me while ,i turn down these glass-cloths for you to hem4 ,you are the most goodest lady ,i ever see1 said ,phillis to herself1 as she went for her book4 ,i'd be ashamed to do any thing mean for such a nice lady4 ,every morning1 besides her reading and spelling lesson1 ,phillis read a chapter in the ,testament1 or a psalm1 to ,aunt ,delight4 ,she was learning to love these ,bible lessons1 and often studied them over by herself4 ,her lesson this morning was the thirty-seventh ,psalm4 ,she read slowly and carefully1 and at the sixth verse she paused for a moment4 ,well1 said ,aunt ,delight1 what are you thinking of1 ,philly8 ,nothing1 only--sometimes it seems as though verses in the ,bible were made on purpose for people4 ,why1 so they are1 replied ,aunt ,delight4 ,all the verses in the ,bible are made on purpose for people2 and it often does seem to us that particular verses are made on purpose for us4 ,i suppose they are4 ,do you find any verses in this psalm which suit you at present8 ,yes1 ma'am3 ,i did think those two last verses seemed to4 ,read them again4 ,philly did so4 ,you think ,he will make your just dealing as to the plums clear as the noonday4 ,is that it8 ,if it wasn't wicked to think so1 said ,philly1 doubtfully4 ,you know you did say one day that ,god cared about us4 ,true3 so ,i did4 ,well1 my child1 you have as much right to take ,god's promises to yourself as any one in the world4 ,read the next verse4 ,philly hemmed her towels as well as possible1 earning great praise from ,miss ,delight for her neatness and quickness4 ,then1 much comforted1 she went down into the garden1 where ,aunt ,delight had told her to do some weeding4 ,how good she is6 she said to herself4 ,it a'n't that she don't find fault sometimes2 but she never does it just to be hateful1 and she always praises what ,i have done right1 if ,i have been ever so naughty4 ,that's the kind of goodness ,i like4 ,philly was right4 ,kindness without justice is not worth much4 ,she had rather hard times1 as she would have said1 all that day4 ,sarah1 who had never liked her1 had made up her mind that the child was guilty1 and treated her accordingly4 ,she would not allow her to go into the pantry or store-room1 watched her as a cat watches a mouse1 and kept all the time throwing out hints about thieves and liars1 and people who deceived and cheated their best friends4 ,it needed all ,philly's philosophy and religion to boot to enable her to bear patiently with all this2 but the poor child had learned how to bear her troubles and where to carry them4 ,she believed that ,god really did care1 because ,miss ,delight said so2 and this day she learned by her own experience that ,he did help as well as care4 ,three or four times that day she escaped to her own little attic1 and every time she came down comforted4 ,miss ,delight expected every person of her household to repeat two verses of ,holy ,scripture at morning prayers4 ,the next morning ,philly's two verses were these from the thirty-seventh ,psalm3-- ',commit thy way unto the ,lord2 trust also in him2 and he shall bring it to pass4' ',and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light1 and thy judgment as the noonday4' ,something in ,sarah's heart gave her a little pain just then1 as if she had been stung4 ,may-be she did tell the truth1 after all1 said she to herself4 ,anyhow1 she is an orphan child1 and hasn't a friend in the world except ,miss ,delight4 ,i guess ,i'll wait and see before ,i say any more4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,bread ,,in ,,secret4 ,,for some time after she came to ,dorchester1 ,lolla's health continued steadily to improve4 ,she lost the heavy1 languid look she had worn in the morning1 had a good appetite not only for her breakfast1 but for all her other meals1 slept well1 and ran about all day long as lively as a kitten4 ,she had an hour and a half of lessons in the morning1 which she said to ,mr4 ,locke1 and half an hour of sewing with ,aunt ,delight after dinner2 and the rest of the time she was encouraged to play in the open air as much as she pleased4 ,she found her way down to the beach1 where she was never weary of the marvel of seeing the tide come in and go out4 ,she learned the way to the few shops in the neighbourhood1 so that she could do errands2 and--greatest pleasure of all--she went several times to ,savin ,hill4 ,savin ,hill is like a large mountain seen through the wrong end of the telescope4 ,it has caves and precipices1 rocks and cliffs1 all made of a stone which looks very much indeed like petrified plum-pudding4 ,there are evergreen trees called savin1 ,virginia creepers1 and a slender1 thorny vine with glossy leaves1 very pretty to look at and very impossible to get through4 ,savin ,hill runs out into the bay1 and commands on all sides a beautiful view of the bay and shipping1 ,south ,boston1 the ,blue ,hills1 and the villages round about4 ,i have spent many pleasant hours upon the little mountain1 watching the ships and boats1 the clouds and hills1 and waiting till dark to see the revolving light in the far-off lighthouse flash out and fade as regularly as the pendulum of a clock4 ,two or three times ,aunt ,delight and ,mr4 ,locke had gone up on ,savin ,hill with ,lolla and ,philly and had a little picnic4 ,the two elders would sit on the rocks in the shade or the sunshine1 as the day happened to be cool or warm1 and read or talked while the little girls played with their dolls and made playhouses4 ,philly was a grand playmate4 ,she was four years older than ,lolla1 but she was always ready to do any thing ,lolla wanted of her1--to dress the doll1 jump the rope1 tell stories2 or make-believe to any extent4 ,aunt ,delight did not think it would do ,lolla any harm to play with her4 ,she had watched ,philly for some months1 and she saw that the child was really trying to improve1--that she had learned to have a sense of duty which made her careful to be good out of sight and alone as well as before other people4 ,since the affair of the spoon and the plums she had taken special pains to observe her1 and she became convinced that whoever was to blame for the spilt syrup and crumbled cake1 ,philly was not4 ,she was not so sure about some one else1 but she kept her own counsel2 for ,aunt ,delight was one of the people who could think of things and not talk about them1--a talent more rare than many persons suppose1 and one we would advise our young readers to cultivate4 ,by-and-by1 however1 ,lolla's head began to ache once more1 and again she had no appetite for her meals4 ,she declared it was because ,mr4 ,locke made her learn the multiplication-table2 but ,aunt ,delight was of a different opinion4 ,she had taught many little girls the multiplication-table without doing them any harm2 and she had seen many more headaches come from improper eating and exposure than from lessons2 and she came to the conclusion that ,lolla was indulging in something which she ought not to have4 ,she watched her closely1 but quietly1 and by-and-by she found out the truth1 as you will see4 ,lolla had brought some money from home4 ,her father had been in the habit of giving her all his new three-cent and five-cent pieces to put in her little money-box1 and these had amounted to a considerable sum2 and1 besides1 she possessed other money1 which had been given her from time to time by her uncles and cousins4 ,she had very little temptation to spend at home1 for she lived some distance from town1 and she had all the sweet things she could eat1 without buying them4 ,she brought her money with her to ,boston1 intending to purchase some pretty thing that she fancied2 but it all seemed likely to go in another direction4 ,lolla discovered that she could buy cakes and gingersnaps at the baker's1 and candy and chocolate at the other shops2 and she now kept on hand a constant supply of these articles1 which she was munching at every opportunity when she could do so unobserved4 ,now1 when a little girl eats two large ginger-cakes1 a stick of chocolate1 and a dozen or so of lemon-drops after she goes to bed at night1 it is hardly necessary to blame the multiplication-table if she rises with a headache in the morning4 ,lolla hid away her store of dainties in two or three different places1--in one of the great covered vases in the hall1 in the back part of a cupboard where she kept her shoes1 and in the pockets of her dress4 ,something told her all the time that she was growing mean and deceitful and sly1 and more and more fond of eating1--more like a little pig2 but she persuaded herself that she could not help it1 and that it was her aunt's fault in not giving her all she wanted4 ,won't you ever tell as long as you live and breathe8 said she to ,philly1 one day1 as they were playing in the lower part of the garden4 ,no1 said ,philly1 without thinking4 ,tell what8 ,if ,i give you something1 said ,lolla1 putting her hand in her pocket and pulling out two or three large lumps of sugar4 ,oh1 ,lolla1 you shouldn't eat hard sugar1 said ,philly4 ,i heard ,miss ,delight tell you it was bad for your teeth4 ,where did you get it8 ,that is my business1 and not yours1 replied ,lolla1 pertly4 ,aunt ,delight is as full of notions as she can be4 ,lizzy ,mercer said she knew she would be1 because she is an old maid4 ,i hope ,i shall never be an old maid4 ,oh1 ,lolla6 ,how can you say so8 exclaimed ,philly4 ,i think she is as good as she can be4 ,i am sure she is just like a mother to you4 ,she is not a bit like 'my' mother1 ,i can tell you1 said ,lolla4 ,mother always let me have all the cake ,i wanted4 ,well1 you know yourself it wasn't good for you1 returned ,philly4 ,just see how much better you are than when you first came here4 ,i am 'not' better1 said ,lolla1 pettishly4 ,my head aches all the time1 lately4 ,i know it is all that hateful arithmetic2 but ,aunt ,delight won't believe me4 ,i guess it is the sweet stuff you eat1 said ,philly4 ,i am sure your aunt would not like it if she knew how you bought candy all the time4 ,you had better run and tell her1 said ,lolla1 angrily4 ,i wish you would just mind your own business4 ,i didn't come down here to be ordered about by a nigger4 ,lolla knew very well1 when she used the ugly word1 that nothing made ,philly so angry or hurt her feelings so much as being called a nigger4 ,she thought ,philly would fly into a passion1 and that then she could tease her till she made her cry4 ,she had done so before when they quarrelled1 and1 somehow1 found a great pleasure in seeing ,philly angry4 ,this time1 however1 she did not succeed in her object4 ,she was very much hurt1 and her dark eyes snapped for a moment2 but she restrained herself1 and merely said1-- ,i shall not play with you if you talk that way4 ,she turned and went into the house4 ,just like you1 ,lolla called after her4 ,now go and sulk up in your room all the afternoon4 ,philly did not answer1 and ,lolla began to consider whether she had been very wise in provoking one who could betray her secret4 ,there was no help for it now1 however2 and she determined to make it up with ,philly1 and to be more careful in future4 ,philly was deeply hurt1 for she was fond of ,lolla1 but she was very much troubled besides4 ,she was pretty sure that the lumps of sugar came out of ,miss ,delight's pantry1 and she was very much afraid that if they were missed she should be accused of taking them4 ,the matter of the spoon had never been cleared up1 and she feared if any more suspicion fell on her1 ,miss ,delight would send her away4 ,think as she would1 she could see no way out of her trouble4 ,she could not make up her mind to tell ,miss ,delight or ,sarah what had passed4 ,she could not feel that it would be right1 and1 besides1 she argued1 as like as not ,miss ,delight wouldn't believe me4 ,she would naturally take part with her own niece1 and ,sarah thinks ,lolla is perfect4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i thought when ,i got here1 there would not be any more trouble2 but seems to me there is trouble everywhere4 ,philly was right4 ,there is trouble everywhere in this world4 ,happily1 however1 the ,refuge from trouble is everywhere as well4 ,sarah1 said ,philly1 as they were drinking their tea that afternoon1 why doesn't ,miss ,delight keep things locked up1 as my old missus used to do down in ,georgia8 ,why should she8 asked ,sarah4 ,there is nobody to meddle with things but you and me2 and we don't either of us mean to rob her1 do we8 ,philly felt that it was kind in ,sarah to include her in this question4 ,i'm sure ,i don't1 said she4 ,well1 ,philly1 ,i don't believe you do1 said ,sarah4 ,i had my doubts of you a little while ago about those plums2 but ,i have got eyes in my head4 ,i have watched you1 and ,i don't believe you meddle with things any more2 though you know1 ,philly1 you did when you first came here4 ,yes1 ,i know2 but ,i didn't know any better then4 ,i do try to be a good girl1 ,sarah4 ,yes1 ,i see you do2 and ,i must say you make out better than some folks who have had more advantages4 ,but you mustn't be proud of it1 child3 if you are1 the first you know you will be doing something bad again4 ,it was queer1 though1 about that spoon3 wasn't it8 said ,philly1 emboldened by ,sarah's kindness4 ,you know1 ,sarah1 a mouse wouldn't take a spoon2 if he wanted the plums ever so much4 ,a mouse wouldn't do a good many things1 said ,sarah4 ,a mouse wouldn't leave the cover off the sugar-bowl and take out all the largest lumps4 ,a mouse isn't apt to open cupboard-doors and leave them ajar4 ,but we shall see4 ,every thing comes to the light some day4 ,come1 hurry and wash up your dishes2 and1 if you are real smart1 ,i will ask ,miss ,delight to let you go with me into ,boston to-morrow4 ,philly hastened to obey1 feeling very much comforted at finding that she had made a friend of ,sarah1 who had begun by disliking her so greatly4 ,i know what ,i know1 said ,sarah to herself2 and ,miss ,delight shall know it too1 if she has not penetration to find it out for herself1--which ,i guess she has4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,ice-,,cream4 ,,oh1 ,aunt ,delight1 do let us go in and have some ice-cream1 said ,lolla1 as they came opposite a pleasant-looking shop on ,washington ,street1 where she had several times been with her aunt4 ,we have not had any for ever so long4 ,how long8 asked ,aunt ,delight4 ,not since last week4 ,and how long is that8 ,lolla was obliged to confess that it was no longer ago than the day before yesterday4 ,i cannot buy ice-cream every time we come into town4 ,it is too expensive4 ,i thought you were rich enough to afford to get whatever you liked1 aunt1 said ,lolla2 and it only costs twenty-five cents4 ,well1 ,i come into town1 on an average1 three times a week4 ,suppose ,i were to spend twenty-five cents every time3 how much would that come to in a month8 ,three dollars1 exactly1 replied ,lolla1 after a little consideration4 ,yes3 enough to buy a nice ,testament in large print for old ,mrs4 ,prince1 and a ',silent ,comforter' to hang on the wall for poor ,jessie ,mc,millen1 who you know has not strength to hold a heavy book in her hand4 ,you might buy the book too1 said ,lolla4 ,i am sure you have money enough4 ,perhaps you do not know just how much money ,i have2 but1 if ,i were as rich as the richest man in the world1 it would not be right to spend money foolishly4 ,besides1 it is a very bad habit to be constantly buying nice things to eat4 ,it leads to selfishness1 gluttony and extravagance4 ,i am willing to indulge you to a reasonable extent2 but if you tease me for ice-cream or candy every time you see a confectioner's shop1 ,i cannot bring you to town with me any more4 ,lolla was silent4 ,she knew by experience that when ,aunt ,delight said no1 that was all that was to be said2 but she felt very much dissatisfied1 and she was really provoked when ,aunt ,delight bought a pretty photograph of some cliffs and boats1 and some fishermen's huts upon the sea-shore4 ,that cost more than the ice-cream would have cost1--fifty cents more1 said ,lolla2 and what is it good for1 after all8 ,good to look at1 replied ,aunt ,delight4 ,the ice-cream is eaten and gone1 and that is the end4 ,the photograph may be looked at every day for ten years1 and be just as good at the end of the time4 ,but this picture is not for myself1 but for ,jessie ,mc,millen4 ,that is queerer yet1 said ,lolla4 ,i thought when people bought things for the poor they got somethings useful4 ,that depends upon circumstances1 and also upon what you call useful1 replied her aunt4 ,jessie's father can buy her the clothes and the food that are absolutely necessary for her2 but he has no money to spare for any thing else4 ,this picture will hang on the wall opposite her bed1 and be a new pleasure to her every time she wakes up and looks at it1 and all the more because it will remind her of the shores of ,scotland1 which she will never see again4 ,i have had a long illness myself1 and ,i know very well how pleasant is any thing which reminds one of out-of-doors and fresh air4 ,come1 ,lolla1 said ,aunt ,delight1 after tea2 let us go up and carry ,jessie her picture4 ,jessie ,mc,millen was a ,scotch girl who was dying slowly of a painful disease4 ,her father had come from ,scotland not many months before1 with his wife and his only daughter4 ,he was a sober1 steady man1 who had been injured by an accident in a coal-mine1 so that he was unable to work very hard2 but his wife was skilful in fine washing and clear-starching1 and ,jessie understood housework and sewing3 so there seemed every probability that they would be able to support themselves nicely4 ,they took rooms in a little cottage near ,savin ,hill1 and for a time did very well2 but misfortune fell upon them4 ,mrs4 ,mc,millen took cold while hanging out her clothes one biting winter's day1 and went into a quick consumption4 ,it was while waiting upon her sick and dying mother that ,jessie was seized with a pain in her chest4 ,she thought little of the matter at first2 but1 between hard work and watching1 the pain grew more and more severe2 and when1 after her mother was buried1 she went to the doctor1 he told her1 as gently as he could1 that there was nothing to be done for her4 ,since then she had gradually but surely grown worse1 till she was now nearly helpless4 ,her father obtained work as a gardener1 in which business he was very skilful1 and some kind people of the neighbourhood interested themselves in the daughter1 so that ,jessie wanted for nothing4 ,she had failed very much through the spring1 and was now unable to sit up4 ,lolla could not regret the loss of her ice-cream when she saw how ,jessie's eyes brightened at the sight of the photograph1 and heard the little cry of joy which she uttered as she examined it4 ,it is just my grandfather's house in ,scotland1 said she4 ,i have been there a hundred times4 ,and that woman is ,maggie ,lawlor1 the old fishwife1 who used to carry me on her back4 ,i've often seen them make pictures of it when ,i was a little girl2 but ,i never thought to see it again4 ,many artists came to our village in summer to draw the rocks and the boats4 ,one of them painted my picture when ,i was a wee thing like ,miss ,lolla1 there4 ,i mind well how ,i would have putten on my fine ,sunday gown and hat2 but he would have me in my old stout red petticoat4 ,oh1 how pleased my father will be6 ,i am very glad1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,i thought you would be pleased with a ,scotch scene2 but ,i had no idea that you would know the place4 ,it just seems like a gift from ,god1 said ,jessie1 reverently4 ,oh1 ,i have so tried and prayed to dream of it all1 but ,i never could2 and now he has sent me this4 ,he is always good1 said ,miss ,delight4 ,you will find that out more and more to all eternity1 ,jessie4 ,and now about your eating3 have you been able to take any food to-day8 ,no1 ma'am4 ,i canna eat1 though ,i try4 ,every thing turns against me1--especially every thing warm4 ,do you like ice8 ,very much1 ma'am2 and ,mrs4 ,tuttle was very good to send me some several times4 ,i often fancy if the broth was frozen ,i could eat it4 ,i will see if something cannot be prepared1 said ,aunt ,delight4 ,the next morning1 while ,lolla was at her lessons1 she heard a sound in the kitchen like the turning of an ice-cream freezer1 which so distracted her attention that she missed half the questions in her arithmetic lesson1 and had to study it over again4 ,at last1 however1 she accomplished her task1 and hurried down-stairs to see what was going on2 and1 behold6 there was ,philly1 in a cool recess which opened out of the kitchen1 turning the freezer as busily as possible4 ,what are you making1 ,philly8 asked ,lolla4 ,i don't know4 ,something for ,jessie ,mc,millen1 answered ,philly1 pausing in her work for a minute1 and then beginning again with new vigour4 ,pshaw6 ,always ,jessie ,mc,millen6 said ,lolla1 half to herself4 ,i wonder why ,i can't have something decent to eat1 as well as that beggar4 ,why1 ,lolla6 said ,philly4 ,i don't see how you can talk so4 ,i wish you could live where ,i did before ,i came here1 for about three weeks4 ,you would know what it is to have something good to eat4 ,jessie isn't a beggar1 either2 and you should not call her so4 ,just like you1 ,philly6--,always contradicting every word ,i say4 ,i should think ,aunt ,delight might teach you not to be quite so impudent4 ,just like niggers6 ,i can't bear them4 ,lolla1 said ,sarah1 if you call ,philly a nigger again1 ,i shall tell your aunt4 ,i don't think that is much like a little lady1 for my part4 ,never mind1 ,sarah1 said ,philly4 ,lolla will be sorry by-and-by4 ,after all1 ,i 'am' a nigger1 she added2 and ,i needn't care about being called one4 ,this stuff is all frozen now4 ,i'll tell ,miss ,delight1 said ,sarah4 ,i don't know whether she wants you to carry it to ,jessie now or not4 ,miss ,delight1 she asked1 going to the door of the breakfast-room1 the milk porridge is frozen4 ,shall ,philly carry it over directly8 ,i will see1 replied ,aunt ,delight1 coming into the kitchen4 ,she examined the contents of the freezer and put them into a small tin pail1 which she set into another larger pail4 ,she then packed the outside pail full of finely-powdered ice1 and sprinkled in a little salt4 ,now1 ,lolla1 said she1 ,i want you to put on your things and carry this over to ,jessie directly1 that she may have it for her dinner4 ,the sun is clouded over1 and you can keep in the shade nearly all the way4 ,when you come back1 stop at the shop and bring me half a dozen lemons4 ,what is ,philly going to do8 asked ,lolla4 ,she is going to be busy at home4 ,don't waste any time4 ,you can leave the pails1 and tell ,jessie to have them set in the cellar4 ,lolla set out on her errand in no very good humour4 ,she had hoped when she saw the freezer that she was going to have ice-cream for her dinner2 and it was a great disappointment to find that ,philly was only making something for poor ,jessie4 ,lolla was growing more and more fond of eating every day4 ,she cared a great deal more for nice things than she used to do at home1 where no one objected to her eating them every day and all day long4 ,the fact of being obliged to indulge her appetite in secret gave a zest to her stolen feasts1--literally stolen1 many times1 ,i am sorry to say2 for she fell more and more into the habit of pilfering from the pantry and from the store-room at every opportunity4 ,she had heretofore been so sly and careful that ,sarah had not been able to detect her in the act2 but she was growing bolder every day4 ,nor was this the worst of it4 ,she had spent all the money she had brought from home upon ginger-cakes1 raisins1 and other things of the kind4 ,she could hardly believe it when she found her purse empty1 and in her heart she accused some one of having robbed her2 but1 however that might be1 it was all gone4 ,it was a fault of ,miss ,delight's that she was rather careless of money4 ,she was somewhat apt to leave her purse in her work-box or on her desk2 and she had a habit of keeping loose pennies and small change in the corner of drawers and on the edges of shelves4 ,sarah often remonstrated with her about the matter1 especially since ,philly came to live at the cottage1--and ,miss ,delight had been more careful for a time2 but1 as her confidence in the child's honesty became established1 she gradually fell into her old habits4 ,it was with fear and trembling that ,lolla first took to herself a penny to spend in molasses-candy2 but1 as she was not discovered1 she grew bolder2 and now it was a regular thing for her to look-out for the waifs and strays from her aunt's purse4 ,at that very time she had five cents in her pocket which she was intending to spend at the store4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,consequence4 ,,lolla walked along under the trees1 feeling rather fretful and dissatisfied1 though she could not exactly tell why4 ,she fancied the pail grew heavier every minute4 ,i wonder if that cover is on tight8 said she to herself4 ,it wouldn't be very nice for the ice and salt to get into the porridge1 or whatever it is4 ,i don't believe it will be good1 anyway1 when it gets there4 ,it will be all melted4 ,there are many low stone walls in the village of ,dorchester1 which are very nice to sit down upon1 especially when1 as it often happens1 there is a large elm-tree exactly in the right place to keep off the sun4 ,lolla found just such a place in the retired lane through which she was passing1 and sat down for a rest4 ,she looked this way and that1 and1 seeing nobody1 she pulled off the cover of the small pail4 ,the frozen milk porridge looked very nice and inviting1 and ,lolla could not resist the temptation4 ,nobody will know if ,i just taste it1 said she4 ,she had no spoon2 but gluttons are not apt to be nice4 ,she put in her finger1 and1 scooping up a large mouthful1 she hastily swallowed it4 ,it was certainly very nice1--as good as ice-cream2 and1 almost without thinking1 ,lolla took another mouthful4 ,when ,i was a little girl and used to gather raspberries1 ,i used to make it a rule not to taste one till ,i had gathered all that ,i wanted to take home2 because ,i found by experience that it was much easier not to eat the first raspberry than it was not to eat the second4 ,lolla discovered the same thing with regard to the iced porridge4 ,having begun1 she found it hard to leave off4 ,she took mouthful after mouthful1 intending that every one should be the last4 ,meantime1 the warm air was rapidly melting the porridge1 and making it run together as fast as she took it out3 so that she did not discover what havoc she was making1 till a deeper dig than usual uncovered the bottom of the pail4 ,she was frightened to see that there was not a teacupful left4 ,then1 indeed1 she wished she had let it alone4 ,what shall ,i do now8 said she to herself4 ,there is no use in carrying that little bit to ,jessie4 ,she will know that aunt never sent such a small parcel as that2 and1 besides1 the side of the pail shows how much there was in the first1 place4 ,hateful stuff6 ,i wish ,i never had seen it6 ,aunt ought to have sent ,philly with it4 ,but ,i may as well eat the rest1 now that ,i have begun2 and then what shall ,i do with the pails8 ,aunt told me to leave them there at ,jessie's2 and if ,i bring them back1 she will surely suspect something4 ,oh1 what shall ,i do8 ,lolla thought and thought1 but could come to no conclusion4 ,at last1 however1 she hid the two empty pails among some weeds and brambles in a corner of the wall1 and turned into the street that led to the store4 ,my aunt wants you to send her seven lemons1 said she to the shop-man2 and ,i want five cents' worth of nice raisins4 ,the lemons were done up in a parcel1 and the raisins put into ,lolla's pocket1 from which they were soon transferred to her mouth4 ,then she undid the parcel1 and took out the odd lemon1 taking care to select the largest4 ,she had fully intended to keep it for home consumption2 but the smell was too inviting1 and presently she found herself sucking it as she walked along4 ,lolla's stomach had been long accustomed to excesses2 but a handful of raisins and the juice of a lemon upon the top of more than a pint of frozen milk was more than it could endure4 ,before she reached the cottage1 ,lolla found herself feeling very ill4 ,her head was dizzy1 and she had a strange pain1 as though she had swallowed some hot coals4 ,she had hardly strength to open the gate2 and it seemed to her that the walk which led up to the cottage was a mile long4 ,oh1 ,lolla1 ,i am glad you have come4 ,guess what we are going to have for dinner6 ,beautiful raspberry ice-cream6 ,i froze it myself1 after you went away4 ,but what is the matter8 cried ,philly1 in alarm1 as ,lolla dropped on the nearest seat4 ,oh1 dear6 ,sarah1 come here1--do6 ,lolla is dying1 ,i do believe6 ,nonsense6 returned ,sarah1 sharply4 ,don't call out like that1 child6 ,here1 ,lolla1 what is the matter8 ,why1 you do look badly1 sure enough6 ,what have you been doing8 ,call ,miss ,delight1 ,philly1 as quick as you can6 ,she is in the greenhouse4 ,nobody enjoyed the raspberry-cream1 or any thing else of the nice dinner ,sarah had provided2 for every one had their hands full with ,lolla4 ,miss ,delight held her in her arms1 or rubbed her convulsed limbs2 ,sarah was busy with the bath and with hot mustard-poultices2 and ,mr4 ,locke was gone post-haste for the doctor2 for ,lolla was in a fit1 and for a good while it seemed rather doubtful whether she would ever come out of it4 ,has she eaten any thing more than usual8 asked the doctor4 ,not that ,i am aware of1 replied ,miss ,delight4 ,she was accustomed at home to eat every thing she took a fancy to1 and at all times and seasons2 but ,i have been careful of her diet since she came to me1 and her health has greatly improved4 ,latterly1 however1 she has not seemed as well2 and ,i have not been able to find out what was the matter4 ,philly heard this conversation1 and it threw her into a state of great perplexity4 ,she felt as though she ought to tell ,miss ,delight what she knew about ,lolla's habits2 and yet she hated the very name of tattling4 ,at last she did the wisest thing in her power4 ,she asked advice4 ,meeting ,sarah on the stairs1 she repeated to her what she had heard1 and what she herself knew1 of ,lolla's habits4 ,do you think ,i ought to tell ,miss ,delight8 ,of course you ought to tell her1 returned ,sarah4 ,it might make all the difference in the world4 ,tell her directly2 or1 if you don't want to1 ,i will4 ,oh1 do6 said ,philly1 much relieved by the proposal4 ,that will be a great deal the best way4 ,it happened1 however1 that the story told itself1 so far as the cause of ,lolla's present illness was concerned4 ,she must have drunk a quantity of milk1 and then eaten something sour on the top of it1 said ,miss ,delight4 ,but where could she get milk at this time of day8 ,i guess she has been eating up ,jessie's porridge1 said ,sarah4 ,lolla is not to be trusted with any thing good to eat4 ,i have been finding that out this long time1 but ,i have not been quite sure till lately4 ,but where could she get raisins8 ,there are none in the house4 ,look in her pocket1 and see if there are any more1 said ,miss ,delight4 ,there were no raisins in ,lolla's pocket2 but there were the remains of the lemon2 and now ,lolla's sickness was fully accounted for4 ,now1 my little girl1 if you can tell me what else you have eaten1 said the doctor1 seeing that ,lolla was able to speak4 ,tell me the exact truth1 that ,i may know what to do for you4 ,oh1 dear6 sighed ,lolla4 ,i only ate a few raisins4 ,and what else8 ,and--and--a lemon6 ,raisins and a lemon2 and what else8 ,nothing1 said ,lolla1 sullenly4 ,where did you get the milk8 asked ,miss ,delight4 ,i didn't have any milk1 said ,lolla2 and to this story she adhered1 in spite of any thing and every thing that could be said to her4 ,she was better for a little while2 but in an hour or two she was attacked with illness in another form1 and it was not till the next day that ,miss ,delight ventured to hope that she might be saved4 ,all this time her mind was more or less wandering1 and1 besides1 it was absolutely necessary to keep her quiet3 so there was no chance of finding out the truth4 ,the next evening ,lolla was somewhat better2 but it was many days before she was pronounced out of danger1 and many more before she was able to leave her room and go about the house again4 ,meantime1 ,aunt ,delight had learned from ,jessie that ,lolla had not been at her house at all1 the day she was taken sick4 ,she tried to make ,lolla tell her the truth2 but in vain4 ,lolla would not say a word4 ,if she were questioned1 she would begin to cry1 declare that every one hated her and ill-treated her1 that ,aunt ,delight had carried her away from her dear mother only to abuse her1 and that as soon as she got better she would go to ,california1 if she had to walk every step of the way4 ,these tantrums1 as ,sarah called them1 usually ended in a fit of sickness4 ,at last ,miss ,delight gave the matter up in despair4 ,when ,lolla began to go about the house once more1 she found her position very much changed4 ,no one found fault with her1 or alluded in any way to the affair of the porridge2 but she felt herself distrusted and constantly watched4 ,the store-room was kept locked1 and the sugar-bowl put out of reach4 ,she was never allowed to go outside the gate by herself1 never sent of errands as before2 no one asked her for information about any thing1 or paid any attention to her statements4 ,all this was disagreeable enough2 and1 to add to her discomfort1 she found herself restricted to the plainest food1 and a very little of that4 ,if she exceeded in the least1 either in quantity or in quality1 she speedily found herself in bed as sick as ever4 ,this was a sad plight for a little girl who cared for nothing but eating and drinking4 ,one evening she was sitting alone in the bay-window of the parlour1 feeling very sad and lonely indeed4 ,her aunt and ,philly had gone to church2 ,sarah had gone up to see ,jessie1 who was now not expected to live many days3 so there was no one at home but herself and ,mr4 ,locke1 who had come in not long before and was sitting on the veranda4 ,lolla felt very unhappy4 ,she thought it was because she was sick and alone1 and because every one was unkind to her2 but something in her heart told her that was not all4 ,she thought of her dear father and mother1 so many1 many miles away1 and remembered how kind and indulgent they had always been to her1 and how often she had been undutiful to them4 ,she thought how pleased she had been with the idea of coming to ,dorchester1 and how happy she had been for the first few weeks after her arrival1 and how different it all was at present4 ,she did not feel like having a tantrum1 but she put her head down on the end of the couch1 and cried1 quietly1 but very bitterly4 ,what is the matter1 ,lolla8 said a gentle voice4 ,mr4 ,locke had come silently into the parlour and taken a seat beside her4 ,what is the matter1 ,lolla8 he repeated4 ,what makes you cry8 ,because ,i am so very1 very unhappy6 sobbed ,lolla4 ,and what makes you unhappy8 ,a great many things4 ,well1 tell me some of these things4 ,perhaps ,i can help you to get rid of them4 ,what makes you unhappy just now1 for instance8 ,because ,i am sick1 for one thing1 replied ,lolla4 ,well1 it is very sad to be sick2 but sickness does not always make people unhappy4 ,jessie is very sick4 ,she suffers far more than you do or can2 and she will never be any better4 ,i do not think she can live more than a few days2 but she is not unhappy4 ,she told me this afternoon that her heart was full of peace and joy2 and ,i am sure her face shows it4 ,then ,i am so lonely1 with my father and mother away4 ,that is sad1 too2 but1 ,lolla1 ,philly's father and mother are both dead4 ,she has not a friend or relation in the world out of this house2 and she is not unhappy4 ,you yourself1 when you first came here1 were as merry as the day was long4 ,it was very different then2 and that is one trouble1 said ,lolla4 ,every one was good to me then1 and liked me2 and now nobody likes me1 or believes a word that ,i say3 and ,aunt ,delight is as different as can be4 ,what do you suppose has made the difference in her8 asked ,mr4 ,locke4 ,lolla hung her head1 but1 somehow1 she felt as if she must answer even in spite of herself4 ,at last she stammered out1-- ,i suppose it is because ,i was so naughty4 ,ah1 that indeed6 ,i should not wonder if we had now got at the root of the whole matter4 ,how were you naughty1 ,lolla8 ,lolla would not answer4 ,but even the fact of your having been naughty need not of itself make you unhappy1 continued ,mr4 ,locke4 ,i have known many persons who had done very wrong things in their lives1 and were nevertheless very happy afterwards4 ,we read of the ,apostle ,paul persecuting the ,christian church and helping at the murder of the martyr ,stephen1 and many of his converts at ,philippi had been very wicked people3 yet ,paul was far from being an unhappy man amid all his trials1 and he tells the ,philippians to 'rejoice evermore1' to 'rejoice in the ,lord always4' ,i don't think we have got at it quite yet1 ,lolla4 ,well1 ,i don't understand1 said ,lolla1 interested in spite of herself4 ,i thought when people were wicked they always had to be unhappy4 ,and you are quite right1 my child4 ,as long as you 'are' naughty1 you must needs be miserable2 but you need not be miserable because you 'have been' naughty4 ,that is quite another thing4 ,as long as the ,philippians continued to be wicked and unbelieving1 there would be no use in telling them to rejoice2 but they had seen their sin1 repented of it and confessed it1 and turned with their whole heart to ,god1 and therefore they were happy even in the midst of trials such as we know nothing about4 ,now do you understand8 ,it don't seem as if ,i could do any different1 said ,lolla1 after a pause1 and speaking earnestly4 ,i think sometimes ,i will tell aunt all about it2 but1 then1 ,i can't1 somehow4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i don't know what to do6 ,and again ,lolla put down her head1 and cried bitterly4 ,lolla1 said ,mr4 ,locke1 putting his hand upon her head1 there is one wrong thing you can help directly4 ,tell me1 now3 have you asked ,god to help you at these times8 ,no1 replied ,lolla4 ,i did not think it would be of any use4 ,i have been so naughty4 ,if we could not ask ,god to help us when we were wicked1 we should remain wicked forever1 said ,mr4 ,locke1--since nothing is more certain than that we can never make ourselves good without his help4 ,he did not wait for that when he sent his ,son to die for us4 ',god commended his love to us1 in that while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us4' ,would he really help me1 do you think1 if ,i asked him now8--,really and truly8 asked ,lolla1 in a reverent whisper4 ,yes3 if you are honest in desiring it1 ,i am sure that he will4 ,how do you know8 asked ,lolla4 ,is it in the ,bible8 ,it is in the ,bible2 and ,i know by my own experience1 because he has so often helped me4 ,he has enabled me to do things which ,i could no more have done by myself than ,i can fly to that bright star up yonder4 ,but1 ,lolla1 do you really want ,god to help you to be good8 ,i really and truly do1 ,mr4 ,locke1 replied ,lolla2 but ,i don't believe ,i can1 she added1 despairingly4 ,i have thought a great many nights that ,i would tell ,aunt ,delight the very first thing in the morning2 and when morning came it was just as hard as ever4 ,ah6 ,there was another mistake4 ,you should have told her that very moment1 and not have waited till morning4 ,but1 ,lolla1 there is some one else you should tell first1--some one against whom you have sinned more sorely than against your aunt4 ,think how you have displeased ,him4 ,there is nothing ,god hates more than a lie1--nothing which he will punish more severely if the liar does not repent4 ,yet he has spared your life4 ,he would not let you die in your sin1 but gives you a chance to repent and be forgiven4 ,you must confess to him first1 before you can ask him to forgive and help you4 ',if ,i regard iniquity in my heart1 the ,lord will not hear me4' ',if we say we have no sin1 we deceive ourselves1 and the truth is not in us2 but if we confess our sins1 ,god is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness4' ,god will not only forgive the sin1 but he will take it away4 ,he will wash it out1 and make your soul clean and pure4 ,lolla1 shall we ask him to do so8 ,yes1 please1 whispered ,lolla4 ,mr4 ,locke knelt down with ,lolla in the recess of the window1 and1 in a short prayer which she could understand1 he asked ,god to forgive her1 to make her a better girl1 and especially to give her strength to confess to her aunt4 ,now1 ,lolla1 you must act for yourself1 said ,mr4 ,locke4 ,god has given you the strength1 and you must use it4 ,don't wait a moment4 ,there is your aunt coming in now4 ,shall ,i make a beginning for you8 he added1 seeing that ,lolla was embarrassed4 ,please do1 said ,lolla4 ,lolla has something to tell you1 ,miss ,delight1 said ,mr4 ,locke1 as ,aunt ,delight came into the parlour4 ,she has made up her mind to tell you what made her sick4 ,before ,lolla went to bed that night1 she had told her aunt the whole story1 and had received her forgiveness4 ,when she awoke the next morning1 her head ached and her eyes were heavy1 but her heart was lighter than it had been for many a day4 ,all that summer and fall ,lolla was very delicate4 ,she was reaping the fruits of her long course of greediness and indulgence2 and the doctor said it would probably be a great while before she would be well again4 ,she could eat only the simplest food1--not a particle of fruit or pastry1 and the least indulgence was sure to make her sick for several days4 ,in one way this was an advantage to ,lolla4 ,she lost the habit of wanting to eat at all times and seasons1 and she learned to find her pleasure in other ways4 ,she could not run about a great deal2 and this forced her to turn for amusement to her books and her needle1--means of employment which she had always disliked and never touched except as tasks4 ,she grew very fond of reading1 and so skilful with her needle that she was able to give her aunt a great deal of help in her labour in the sewing-school4 ,lolla's stay in ,dorchester was prolonged from year to year1 and now she was a great girl1 fifteen years old1 well-educated for her age1 able to make her own clothes and cook her own breakfast and dinner4 ,she went to her new home in ,california1 a useful1 amiable1 sensible girl1 prepared to be a comfort to her parents1 a pleasant companion as well as a useful example and teacher to the two little brothers she had never seen1 and1 better than all1 a beautiful fruit-bearing branch of that true vine of which ,god is the husbandman1 and ,christ the stock1 and all true ,christians living members4 ,there is nothing of the little pig left about her4 ,aunt ,delight still lives in her cottage at ,dorchester4 ,she is an old woman1 if one counts by years1 but her heart is as young and her mind as bright as ever4 ,she keeps her old servant ,sarah1 and ,philly1 now a tall1 useful girl1 and she has a pleasant companion in a soldier's widow1 the daughter of a far-away cousin1 who has no other home4 ,mr4 ,locke is away in ,asia1 teaching the word of ,god among the ,japanese4 ,lolla often hears from him4 ,she thinks sometimes she should like to go too2 but she has work enough at home to keep her fully employed for the present4 ,her mother's health is very delicate1 and ,lolla is nurse1 housekeeper1 teacher1 and lady of the house1 all in one3 so she does the duty nearest to her1 and trusts to ,god to give her the desire of her heart1 if it is best for her to have it1 or to make her contented without it1 if he sees best to deny4