Opportunities. Warner Susan

put down other emotions for the time, except the sense of being wronged, and that is a feeling very hard to bear. Matilda had scarcely known it before in her little life; the sensation was as new as it was painful. She was utterly unconscious of having done anything that ought to be found fault with. The darning needle went very fast for the next half-hour; and Matilda's cheek was bright.

      "They haven't got a fire up-stairs, have they?" Maria questioned, when her little sister rejoined her.

      "No, not to-day. Why?"

      "You look as if you had been somewhere where it was warm."

      But Matilda did not say what sort of fire had warmed her.

      She forgot all about it, and about all other grievances, as soon as she was free to go out in the afternoon; for now some of her visions were to be realised. Yesterday afternoon had been so pleasant, on the whole, that Matilda determined to seek a renewal of the pleasure. And first and foremost, she had determined to get Mrs. Eldridge a tea-kettle. She had money enough yet; only her Bible and yesterday's purchases had come out of her twenty-five dollars. "A tea-kettle – and what else?" thought Matilda. "Some towels? She does dreadfully want some towels. But then, I cannot get everything!"

      Slowly going towards the corner, with her eyes on the ground, her two hands were suddenly seized by somebody, and she was brought to a stand-still.

      "Norton!" cried Matilda, joyously.

      "Yes. What has become of you?"

      "Oh, I have been so busy!"

      "School?" said Norton.

      "Oh no! I don't go to school. I have things to do at home."

      "Things!" said Norton. "Why don't you speak straight? What things? your lessons?"

      "I don't have lessons, Norton," said the child, patiently, lifting her eyes to Norton's face. "My aunt gives me other things to do."

      "Don't you have lessons at all?" said Norton.