But，Philip，saidMrs。Price，I’llholdthejug——you’llbelatewithyourmessagetoyourmother。we’llnotdetainyouanylonger。
Philipdeparted，andashewentoutofthegarden-wicket，helookedup，andsawBabandhermaidBettystaringoutofthewindow，asusual。Onthis，heimmediatelyturnedbacktotrywhetherhehadshutthegatefast，lesttheguinea-henmightstrayout，andfallagainintothehandsoftheenemy。
MissBarbara，inthecourseofthisday，feltconsiderablemortification，butnocontrition。Shewasvexedthathermeannesswasdiscovered，butshefeltnodesiretocureherselfofanyofherfaults。Theballwasstilluppermostinhervain，selfishsoul。Well，saidshetoherconfidante，Betty，youhearhowthingshaveturnedout。butifMissSomerswon’tthinkofaskingmetogooutwithher，I’veanotionIknowwhowill。Aspapasays，it’sagoodthingtohavetwostringstoone’sbow。
Now，someofficers，whowerequarteredatShrewsbury，hadbecomeacquaintedwithMr。Case。Theyhadgottenintosomequarrelwithatradesmanofthetown，andAttorneyCasehadpromisedtobringthemthroughtheaffair，asthemanthreatenedtotakethelawofthem。Uponthefaithofthispromise，andwiththevainhopethat，bycivility，theymightdisposehimtobringinaREASONABLEbillofcosts，theseofficerssometimesinvitedMr。Casetothemess。andoneofthem，whohadlatelybeenmarried，prevaileduponhisbrideSOMETIMEStotakealittlenoticeofMissBarbara。ItwaswiththisladythatMissBarbaranowhopedtogototheharpers’ball。
TheofficersandMrs。Strathspey，or，moreproperly，Mrs。Strathspeyandtheofficers，aretobreakfasthere，tomorrow，doyouknow，saidBabtoBetty。OneofthemdinedattheAbbey，to-day，andtoldpapathatthey’dallcome。Theyaregoingoutonaparty，somewhereintothecountry，andbreakfasthereontheirway。Pray，Betty，don’tforgetthatMrs。Strathspeycan’tbreakfastwithouthoney。Iheardhersaysomyself。
Then，indeed，saidBetty，I’mafraidMrs。Strathspeywillbelikelytogowithoutherbreakfasthere。fornotaspoonfulofhoneyhavewe，letherlongforiteversomuch。
But，surely，saidBab，wecancontrivetogetsomehoneyintheneighbourhood。
There’snonetobebought，asIknowof，saidBetty。
Butistherenonetobebeggedorborrowed？saidBab，laughing。DoyouforgetSusan’sbeehive？StepovertoherinthemorningwithMY
COMPLIMENTS，andseewhatyoucando。Tellherit’sforMrs。
Strathspey。
InthemorningBettywentwithMissBarbara’scomplimentstoSusan，tobegsomehoneyforMrs。Strathspey，whocouldnotbreakfastwithoutit。
Susandidnotliketopartwithherhoney，becausehermotherlovedit，andshethereforegaveBettybutasmallquantity。WhenBarbarasawhowlittleSusansent，shecalledherAMISER，andshesaidsheMUSThavesomemoreforMrs。Strathspey。I’llgomyselfandspeaktoher。Comewithme，Betty，saidtheyounglady，whofounditatpresentconvenienttoforgetherhavingdeclared，thedaythatshesuckedupthebroth，thatsheneverwouldhonourSusanwithanothervisit。Susan，saidshe，accostingthepoorgirl，whomshehaddoneeverythinginherpowertoinjure，ImustbegalittlemorehoneyfromyouforMrs。Strathspey’sbreakfast。Youknow，onaparticularoccasionsuchasthis，neighboursmusthelponeanother。
Tobesuretheyshould，addedBetty。
Susan，thoughshewasgenerous，wasnotweak。shewaswillingtogivetothosesheloved，butnotdisposedtoletanythingbetakenfromher，orcoaxedoutofher，bythoseshehadreasontodespise。Shecivillyanswered，thatshewassorryshehadnomorehoneytospare。
Barbaragrewangry，andlostallcommandofherself，whenshesawthatSusan，withoutregardingherreproaches，wentonlookingthroughtheglasspaneinthebeehive。I’lltellyouwhat，SusanPrice，saidshe，inahightone，thehoneyIWILLhave，soyoumayaswellgiveittomebyfairmeans。Yesorno！Speak！Willyougiveitmeornot？Willyougivemethatpieceofthehoney-combthatliesthere？
Thatbitofhoney-combisformymother’sbreakfast，saidSusan。I
cannotgiveityou。
Can’tyou？saidBab，thenseeifIdon’ttakeit！ShestretchedacrossSusanforthehoney-comb，whichwaslyingbysomerosemaryleavesthatSusanhadfreshlygatheredforhermother’stea。Babgrasped，butatherfirsteffortsheonlyreachedtherosemary。Shemadeaseconddartatthehoney-comb，and，inherstruggletoobtainit，sheoversetthebeehive。Thebeesswarmedabouther。HermaidBettyscreamedandranaway。Susan，whowasshelteredbyalaburnumtree，calledtoBarbara，uponwhomtheblackclustersofbeeswerenowsettling，andbeggedhertostandstill，andnottobeatthemaway。Ifyoustandquietlyyouwon’tbestung，perhaps。Butinsteadofstandingquietly，Babbuffetedandstampedandroared，andthebeesstungherterribly。
Herarmsandherfaceswelledinafrightfulmanner。ShewashelpedhomebypoorSusanandtreacherousMrs。Betty，who，nowthemischiefwasdone，thoughtonlyofexculpatingherselftohermaster。
Indeed，MissBarbara，saidshe，thiswasquitewrongofyoutogoandgetyourselfintosuchascrape。Ishallbeturnedawayforit，you’llsee。
Idon’tcarewhetheryouareturnedawayornot，saidBarbara。Ineverfeltsuchpaininmylife。Can’tyoudosomethingforme？Idon’tmindthepaineithersomuchasbeingsuchafright。Pray，howamItobefittobeseenatbreakfastbyMrs。Strathspey。andIsupposeIcan’tgototheballeitherto-morrow，afterall！
No，thatyoucan’texpecttodo，indeed，saidBetty，thecomforter。
Youneednotthinkofballs。forthoselumpsandswellingswon’tgooffyourfacethisweek。That’snotwhatpainsme。butI’mthinkingofwhatyourpapawillsaytomewhenheseesyou，miss。
Whilstthisamiablemistressandmaidwereintheiradversityrevilingoneanother，Susan，whenshesawthatshecouldbeofnofurtheruse，waspreparingtodepart，butatthehouse-door，shewasmetbyMr。Case。Mr。
Casehadrevolvedthingsinhismind。forhissecondvisitattheAbbeypleasedhimaslittleashisfirst，owingtoafewwordswhichSirArthurandMissSomersdroppedinspeakingofSusanandFarmerPrice。Mr。Casebegantofearthathehadmistakenhisgameinquarrellingwiththisfamily。Therefusalofhispresentdweltupontheattorney’smind。andhewasawarethat，ifthehistoryofSusan’slambeverreachedtheAbbey，hewasundone。HenowthoughtthatthemostprudentcoursehecouldpossiblyfollowwouldbetoHUSHUPmatterswiththePriceswithallconvenientspeed。Consequently，whenhemetSusanathisdoor，heforcedagracioussmile。Howisyourmother，Susan？saidhe。Isthereanythinginourhousecanbeofservicetoher？Onhearinghisdaughterhecriedout，Barbara，Barbara——Bab！comedownstairs，child，andspeaktoSusanPrice。ButasnoBarbaraanswered，herfatherstalkedupstairsdirectly，openedthedoor，andstoodamazedatthespectacleofherswelledvisage。
BettyinstantlybegantotellthestoryofBarbara’smishapherownway。
Babcontradictedherasfastasshespoke。Theattorneyturnedthemaidawayonthespot。andpartlywithrealanger，andpartlywithfeignedaffectationofanger，hedemandedfromhisdaughterhowshedaredtotreatSusanPricesoill，when，ashesaid，shewassoneighbourlyandobligingastogiveyousomeofherhoney？Couldn’tyoubecontent，withoutseizinguponthehoney-combbyforce？Thisisscandalousbehaviour，andwhat，Iassureyou，Ican’tcountenance。
SusannowintercededforBarbara。andtheattorney，softeninghisvoice，saidthatSusanwasagreatdealtoogoodtoher。asyouare，indeed，
addedhe，toeverybody。Iforgiveherforyoursake。Susancurtsied，ingreatsurprise。butherlambcouldnotbeforgotten，andshelefttheattorney’shouseassoonasshecould，tomakehermother’srosemaryteabreakfast。
Mr。CasesawthatSusanwasnotsosimpleastobetakeninbyafewfairwords。HisnextattemptwastoconciliateFarmerPrice。Thefarmerwasablunt，honestman，andhiscountenanceremainedinflexiblycontemptuous，whentheattorneyaddressedhiminhissoftesttone。
Sostoodmattersthedayofthelongexpectedharpers’ball。MissBarbaraCase，stungbySusan’sbees，couldnot，afterallhermanoeuvres，gowithMrs。Strathspeytotheball。Theballroomwasfilledearlyintheevening。Therewasanumerousassembly。Theharpers，whocontendedfortheprize，wereplacedunderthemusic-galleryatthelowerendoftheroom。Amongstthemwasouroldblindfriend，who，ashewasnotsowellcladashiscompetitors，seemedtobedisdainedbymanyofthespectators。Sixladiesandsixgentlemenwerenowappointedtobejudgesoftheperformance。Theywereseatedinasemicircle，oppositetotheharpers。TheMissSomerses，whowerefondofmusic，wereamongsttheladiesinthesemicircle。andtheprizewaslodgedinthehandsofSirArthur。Therewasnowsilence。Thefirstharpsounded，andaseachmusiciantriedhisskill，theaudienceseemedtothinkthateachdeservedtheprize。Theoldblindmanwasthelast。Hetunedhisinstrument。andsuchasimple，patheticstrainwasheardastouchedeveryheart。Allwerefixedindelightedattention。andwhenthemusicceased，thesilenceforsomemomentscontinued。
Thesilencewasfollowedbyauniversalbuzzofapplause。Thejudgeswereunanimousintheiropinions，anditwasdeclaredthattheoldblindharper，whoplayedthelast，deservedtheprize。
Thesimple，patheticairwhichwonthesuffragesofthewholeassembly，washisowncomposition。Hewaspressedtogivethewordsbelongingtothemusic。andatlasthemodestlyofferedtorepeatthem，ashecouldnotseetowrite。MissSomers’readypencilwasinstantlyproduced。andtheoldharperdictatedthewordsofhisballad，whichhecalled——
Susan’sLamentationforherLamb。
MissSomerslookedatherbrotherfromtimetotime，asshewrote。andSirArthur，assoonastheoldmanhadfinished，tookhimaside，andaskedhimsomequestions，whichbroughtthewholehistoryofSusan’slambandofAttorneyCase’scrueltytolight。
Theattorneyhimselfwaspresentwhentheharperbegantodictatehisballad。Hiscolour，asSirArthursteadilylookedathim，variedcontinually。tillatlength，whenheheardthewordsSusan’sLamentationforherLamb，hesuddenlyshrunkback，skulkedthroughthecrowd，anddisappeared。Weshallnotfollowhim。wehadratherfollowouroldfriend，thevictoriousharper。
Nosoonerhadhereceivedthetenguineas，hiswellmeritedprize，thanheretiredtoasmallroombelongingtothepeopleofthehouse，askedforpen，inkandpaper，anddictated，inalowvoice，tohisboy，whowasatolerablygoodscribe，aletter，whichheorderedhimtoputdirectlyintotheShrewsburypost-office。Theboyranwiththelettertothepost-office。Hewasbutjustintime，forthepostman’shornwassounding。
Thenextmorning，whenFarmerPrice，hiswife，andSusan，weresittingtogether，reflectingthathisweek’sleaveofabsencewasnearlyatanend，andthatthemoneywasnotyetmadeupforJohnSimpson，thesubstitute，aknockwasheardatthedoor，andthepersonwhousuallydeliveredthelettersinthevillageputaletterintoSusan’shand，saying，Apenny，ifyouplease——here’saletterforyourfather。
Forme！saidFarmerPrice。here’sthepennythen，butwhocanitbefrom，Iwonder？Whocanthinkofwritingtome，inthisworld？Hetoreopentheletter。butthehardnameatthebottomofthepagepuzzledhim——
yourobligedfriend，Llewellyn。
Andwhat’sthis？saidhe，openingapaperthatwasinclosedintheletter。It’sasong，seemingly。itmustbesomebodythathasamindtomakeanAprilfoolofme。
ButitisnotApril，itisMay，father，saidSusan。
Well，letusreadtheletter，andweshallcometothetruthallingoodtime。
FarmerPricesatdowninhisownchair，forhecouldnotreadentirelytohissatisfactioninanyother，andreadasfollows：——
MYWORTHYFRIEND，——IamsureyouwillbegladtohearthatIhavehadgoodsuccessthisnight。Ihavewonthetenguineaprize，andforthatI
aminagreatmeasureindebtedtoyoursweetdaughterSusan。asyouwillseebyalittleballadIincloseforher。Yourhospitalitytomehasaffordedtomeanopportunityoflearningsomeofyourfamilyhistory。
Youdonot，Ihope，forgetthatIwaspresentwhenyouwerecountingthetreasureinSusan’slittlepurse，andthatIheardforwhatpurposeitwasalldestined。Youhavenot，Iknow，yetmadeupthefullsumforyoursubstitute，JohnSimpson。thereforedomethefavourtousethefiveguineabanknotewhichyouwillfindwithintheballad。YoushallnotfindmeashardacreditorasAttorneyCase。Paymethemoneyatyourownconvenience。Ifitisneverconvenienttoyoutopayit，Ishallneveraskit。Ishallgomyroundsagainthroughthiscountry，I
believe，aboutthistimenextyear，andwillcalltoseehowyoudo，andtoplaythenewtuneforSusanandthedearlittleboys。
Ishouldjustadd，tosetyourheartatrestaboutthemoney，thatitdoesnotdistressmeatalltolendittoyou。IamnotquitesopoorasIappeartobe。ButitismyhumourtogoaboutasIdo。Iseemoreoftheworldundermytatteredgarbthan，perhaps，Ishouldeverseeinabetterdress。Therearemanyofmyprofessionwhoareofthesamemindasmyselfinthisrespect。andweareglad，whenitliesinourway，todoanykindnesstosuchaworthyfamilyasyours——So，fareyewell。
YourobligedFriend，LLEWELLYN。
Susannow，byherfather’sdesire，openedtheballad。Hepickedupthefiveguineabanknote，whilstsheread，withsurprise，Susan’sLamentationforherLamb。Hermotherleanedoverhershouldertoreadthewords。buttheywereinterrupted，beforetheyhadfinishedthefirststanza，byanotherknockatthedoor。Itwasnotthepostmanwithanotherletter。ItwasSirArthurandhissisters。
Theycamewithanintention，whichtheyweremuchdisappointedtofindthattheoldharperhadrenderedvain——theycametolendthefarmerandhisgoodfamilythemoneytopayforhissubstitute。
But，sincewearehere，saidSirArthur，letmedomyownbusiness，whichIhadliketohaveforgotten。Mr。Price，willyoucomeoutwithme，andletmeshowyouapieceofyourland，throughwhichIwanttomakearoad。Lookthere，saidSirArthur，pointingtothespot，Iamlayingoutarideroundmyestate，andthatbitoflandofyoursstopsme。
Why，sir，saidPrice，theland’smine，tobesure，forthatmatter。
butIhopeyoudon’tlookuponmetobethatsortofpersonthatwouldbestiffaboutatrifleorso。
Thefactis，saidSirArthur，Ihadheardyouwerealitigious，pig-
headedfellow。butyoudonotseemtodeservethischaracter。
Hopenot，sir，saidthefarmer。butaboutthematteroftheland，I
don’twanttotakeanyadvantageofyourwishingforit。Youarewelcometoit。andIleaveittoyoutofindmeoutanotherbitoflandconvenienttomethatwillbeworthneithermorenorless。orelsetomakeupthevaluetomesomewayorother。Ineedsaynomoreaboutit。
Ihearsomething，continuedSirArthur，afterashortsilence——Ihearsomething，Mr。Price，ofaFLAWinyourlease。Iwouldnotspeaktoyouaboutitwhilstwewerebargainingaboutyourland，lestIshouldover-
aweyou。but，tellme，whatisthisflaw？
Intruth，andthetruthisthefittestthingtobespokenatalltimes，
saidthefarmer，Ididn’tknowmyselfwhataflaw，astheycallit，meant，tillIheardofthewordfromAttorneyCase。and，Itakeit，aflawisneithermorenorlessthanamistake，asoneshouldsay。Now，byreasonamandoesnotmakeamistakeonpurpose，itseemstometobethefairthing，thatifamanfindsouthismistake，hemightsetitright。
butAttorneyCasesaysthisisnotlaw。andI’venomoretosay。Themanwhodrewupmyleasemadeamistake。andifImustsufferforit，I
must，saidthefarmer。However，Icanshowyou，SirArthur，justformyownsatisfactionandyours，afewlinesofamemorandumonaslipofpaper，whichwasgivenmebyyourrelation，thegentlemanwholivedherebefore，andletmemyfarm。You’llsee，bythatbitofpaper，whatwasmeant。buttheattorneysays，thepaper’snotworthabuttoninacourtofjustice，andIdon’tunderstandthesethings。AllIunderstandisthecommonhonestyofthematter。I’venomoretosay。
Thisattorney，whomyouspeakofsooften，saidSirArthur，youseemtohavesomequarrelwith。Now，wouldyoutellmefranklywhatisthematterbetween——？
Thematterbetweenus，then，saidPrice，isalittlebitofground，notworthmuch，thatisthereopentothelaneattheendofMr。Case’sgarden，sir，andhewantedtotakeitin。NowItoldhimmymind，thatitbelongedtotheparish，andthatIneverwouldwillinglygivemyconsenttohiscribbingitinthatway。Sir，Iwasthemoreloathtoseeitshutintohisgarden，which，moreover，islargeenoughofallconsciencewithoutit，becauseyoumustknow，SirArthur，thechildreninourvillagearefondofmakingalittleplay-greenofit。andtheyhaveacustomofmeetingonMaydayatahawthornthatstandsinthemiddleofit，andaltogetherIwasveryloathtosee’emturnedoutofitbythosewhohavenoright。
Letusgoandseethisnook，saidSirArthur。Itisnotfaroff，isit？
Oh，no，sir，justhardbyhere。
Whentheygottotheground，Mr。Case，whosawthemwalkingtogether，wasinahurrytojointhem，thathemightputastoptoanyexplanations。
Explanationswerethingsofwhichhehadagreatdread。but，fortunately，hewasuponthisoccasionalittletoolate。
Isthisthenookindispute？saidSirArthur。
Yes。thisisthewholething，saidPrice。
Why，SirArthur，interposedthepoliticattorney，withanassumedairofgenerosity，don’tletustalkanymoreaboutit。Letitbelongtowhomitwill，Igiveituptoyou。
Sogreatalawyer，Mr。Case，asyouare，repliedSirArthur，mustknow，thatamancannotgiveupthattowhichhehasnolegaltitle。andinthiscaseitisimpossiblethat，withthebestintentionstoobligemeintheworld，youcangiveupthisbitoflandtome，becauseitisminealready，asIcanconvinceyoueffectuallybyamapoftheadjoiningland，whichIhavefortunatelysafeamongstmypapers。Thispieceofgroundbelongedtothefarmontheoppositesideoftheroad，anditwascutoffwhenthelanewasmade。
Verypossibly。Idaresayyouarequitecorrect。youmustknowbest，
saidtheattorney，tremblingfortheagency。
Then，saidSirArthur，Mr。Price，youwillobservethatInowpromisethislittlegreentothechildrenforaplay-ground。andIhopetheymaygatherhawthornmanyaMaydayatthistheirfavouritebush。Mr。Pricebowedlow，whichheseldomdid，evenwhenhereceivedafavourhimself。
Andnow，Mr。Case，saidSirArthur，turningtotheattorney，whodidnotknowwhichwaytolook，yousentmealeasetolookover。
Ye-ye-yes，stammeredMrCase。Ithoughtitmydutytodoso。notoutofanymaliceorill-willtothisgoodman。
Youhavedonehimnoinjury，saidSirArthur，coolly。Iamreadytomakehimanewlease，wheneverhepleases，ofhisfarm，andIshallbeguidedbyamemorandumoftheoriginalbargain，whichhehasinhispossession。IhopeInevershalltakeanunfairadvantageofanyone。
Heavenforbid，sir，saidtheattorney，sanctifyinghisface，thatI
shouldsuggestthetakinganUNFAIRadvantageofanyman，richorpoor。
buttobreakabadleaseisnottakinganunfairadvantage。
Youreallythinkso？saidSirArthur。
CertainlyIdo，andIhopeIhavenothazardedyourgoodopinionbyspeakingmymindconcerningtheflawsoplainly。Ialwaysunderstoodthattherecouldbenothingungentlemanlike，inthewayofbusiness，intakingadvantageofaflawinalease。
Now，saidSirArthur，youhavepronouncedjudgmentundesignedlyinyourowncase。Youintendedtosendmethispoorman’slease。butyourson，bysomemistake，broughtmeyourown，andIhavediscoveredafatalerrorinit。
Afatalerror！saidthealarmedattorney。
Yes，sir，saidSirArthur，pullingtheleaseoutofhispocket。Hereitis。Youwillobservethatitisneithersignednorsealedbythegrantor。
But，youwon’ttakeadvantageofme，surely，SirArthur？saidMr。Case，forgettinghisownprinciples。
Ishallnottakeadvantageofyou，asyouwouldhavetakenofthishonestman。InbothcasesIshallbeguidedbymemorandawhichIhaveinmypossession。Ishallnot，Mr。Case，defraudyouofoneshillingofyourproperty。Iamready，atafairvaluation，topaytheexactvalueofyourhouseandland。butuponthiscondition——thatyouquittheparishwithinonemonth！
AttorneyCasewasthuscompelledtosubmittothehardnecessityofthecase，forheknewthathecouldnotlegallyresist。Indeedhewasgladtobeletoffsoeasily。andhebowedandsneakedaway，secretlycomfortinghimselfwiththehope，thatwhentheycametothevaluationofthehouseandlandheshouldbethegainer，perhapsofafewguineas。
Hisreputationhejustlyheldverycheap。
Youareascholar。youwriteagoodhand。youcankeepaccounts，cannotyou？saidSirArthurtoMr。Price，astheywalkedhometowardsthecottage。IthinkIsawabillofyourlittledaughter’sdrawingouttheotherday，whichwasveryneatlywritten。Didyouteachhertowrite？
No，sir，saidPrice，Ican’tsayIdidTHAT。forshemostlytaughtitherself，butItaughtheralittlearithmetic，asfarasIknew，onourwinternights，whenIhadnothingbettertodo。
Yourdaughtershowsthatshehasbeenwelltaught，saidSirArthur。
andhergoodconductandgoodcharacterspeakstronglyinfavourofherparents。
Youareverygood，verygoodindeed，sir，tospeakinthissortofway，
saidthedelightedfather。
ButImeantodomorethanPAYYOUWITHWORDS，saidSirArthur。Youareattachedtoyourownfamily，perhapsyoumaybecomeattachedtome，whenyoucometoknowme，andweshallhavefrequentopportunitiesofjudgingofoneanother。Iwantnoagenttosqueezemytenants，ordomydirtywork。Ionlywantasteady，intelligent，honestman，likeyou，tocollectmyrents，andIhope，Mr。Price，youwillhavenoobjectiontotheemployment。
Ihope，sir，saidPrice，withjoyandgratitudeglowinginhishonestcountenance，thatyou’llneverhavecausetorepentyourgoodness。
Andwhataremysistersabouthere？saidSirArthur，enteringthecottage，andgoingbehindhissisters，whowerebusilyengagedinmeasuringanextremelyprettycolouredcalico。
ItisforSusan，mydearbrother，saidthey。Iknowshedidnotkeepthatguineaforherself，saidMissSomers。Ihavejustprevaileduponhermothertotellmewhatbecameofit。Susangaveittoherfather。
butshemustnotrefuseagownofourchoosingthistime。andIamsureshewillnot，becausehermother，Isee，likesit。And，Susan，IhearthatinsteadofbecomingQueenoftheMaythisyear，youweresittinginyoursickmother’sroom。Yourmotherhasalittlecolourinhercheeksnow。
Oh，ma’am，interruptedMrs。Price，I’mquitewell。Joy，Ithink，hasmademequitewell。
Then，saidMissSomers，Ihopeyouwillbeabletocomeoutonyourdaughter’sbirthday，which，Ihear，isthe25thofthismonth。Makehasteandgetquitewellbeforethatday。formybrotherintendsthatalltheladsandlassiesofthevillageshallhaveadanceonSusan’sbirthday。
Yes，saidSirArthur，andIhopeonthatday，Susan，youwillbeveryhappywithyourlittlefriendsupontheirplay-green。Ishalltellthemthatitisyourgoodconductwhichhasobtaineditforthem。andifyouhaveanythingtoask，anylittlefavourforanyofyourcompanions，whichwecangrant，nowask，Susan。Theseladieslookasiftheywouldnotrefuseyouanythingthatisreasonable。and，Ithink，youlookasifyouwouldnotaskanythingunreasonable。
Sir，saidSusan，afterconsultinghermother’seyes，thereis，tobesure，afavourIshouldliketoask。itisforRose。
Well，Idon’tknowwhoRoseis，saidSirArthur，smiling。but，goon。
Ma’am，youhaveseenher，Ibelieve。sheisaverygoodgirl，indeed，
saidMrs。Price。Andworksveryneatly，indeed，continuedSusan，eagerly，toMissSomers。andsheandhermotherheardyouwerelookingoutforsomeonetowaituponyou。
Saynomore，saidMissSomers。yourwishisgranted。TellRosetocometotheAbbey，to-morrowmorning，or，rather，comewithheryourself。
forourhousekeeper，Iknow，wantstotalktoyouaboutacertaincake。
Shewishes，Susan，thatyoushouldbethemakerofthecakeforthedance。andshehasgoodthingsreadylookedoutforitalready，Iknow。
Itmustbelargeenoughforeverybodytohaveaslice，andthehousekeeperwilliceitforyou。Ionlyhopeyourcakewillbeasgoodasyourbread。Fareyewell。
Howhappyarethosewhobidfarewelltoawholefamily，silentwithgratitude，whowillblessthemaloudwhentheyarefaroutofhearing！
HowdoIwish，now，saidFarmerPrice，andit’salmostasinforonethathashadsuchapoweroffavoursdonehim，towishforanythingmore。
buthowIDOwish，wife，thatourgoodfriend，theharperwasonlyhereatthistime。Itwoulddohisold，warmheartgood。Well，thebestofitis，weshallbeablenextyear，whenhecomeshisrounds，topayhimhismoneywiththanks，beingallthetime，andforever，asmuchobligedtohimasifwekeptit。Ilong，soIdo，toseehiminthishouseagain，drinking，ashedid，justinthisspot，aglassofSusan’smead，toherverygoodhealth。
Yes，saidSusan，andthenexttimehecomes，Icangivehimoneofmyguinea-hen’seggs，andIshallshowmylamb，Daisy。
True，love，saidhermother，andhewillplaythattuneandsingthatprettyballad。Whereisit？forIhavenotfinishedit。
Roseranawaywithit，mother，butI’llstepafterher，andbringitbacktoyouthisminute，saidSusan。
SusanfoundherfriendRoseatthehawthorn，inthemidstofacrowdedcircleofhercompanions，towhomshewasreadingSusan’sLamentationforherLamb。
Thewordsaresomething，butthetune——thetune——Imusthavethetune，
criedPhilip。I’llaskmymothertoaskSirArthurtotryandfindoutwhichwaythatgoodoldmanwentaftertheball。andifhe’saboveground，we’llhavehimbackbySusan’sbirthday，andheshallsithere——
justexactlyherebythis，ourbush，andheshallplay——Imean，ifhepleases——thatsametuneforus，andIshalllearnit——Imean，ifIcan——
inaminute。
ThegoodnewsthatFarmerPricewastobeemployedtocollecttherents，andthatAttorneyCasewastoleavetheparishinamonth，soonspreadoverthevillage。ManycameoutoftheirhousestohavethepleasureofhearingthejoyfultidingsconfirmedbySusanherself。Thecrowdontheplay-greenincreasedeveryminute。
Yes，criedthetriumphantPhilip，Itellyouit’salltrue，everywordofit。Susan’stoomodesttosayitherself。butItellyeall，SirArthurgaveusthisplay-greenforever，onaccountofherbeingsogood。
Yousee，atlastAttorneyCase，withallhiscunninghasnotprovedamatchforSimpleSusan。
THEWHITEPIGEON。
ThelittletownofSomerville，inIreland，has，withinthesefewyears，assumedtheneatandcheerfulappearanceofanEnglishvillage。Mr。
Somerville，towhomthistownbelongs，wishedtoinspirehistenantrywithatastefororderanddomestichappiness，andtookeverymeansinhispowertoencourageindustrious，wellbehavedpeopletosettleinhisneighbourhood。Whenhehadfinishedbuildingarowofgoodslatedhousesinhistown，hedeclaredthathewouldletthemtothebesttenantshecouldfind，andproposalswerepubliclysenttohimfromallpartsofthecountry。
Bythebesttenants，Mr。Somervilledidnot，however，meanthebestbidders。andmany，whohadofferedanextravagantpriceforthehouses，weresurprisedtofindtheirproposalsrejected。AmongstthesewasMr。
Cox，analehousekeeper，whodidnotbearaverygoodcharacter。
Pleaseyourhonour，sir，saidhetoMr。Somerville，Iexpected，sinceIbidasfairandfairerforitthananyother，thatyouwouldhaveletmethehousenexttheapothecary’s。WasnotitfifteenguineasI
mentionedinmyproposal？anddidnotyourhonourgiveitagainstmeforthirteen？
Myhonourdidjustso，repliedMr。Somerville，calmly。
Andpleaseyourhonour，butIdon’tknowwhatitisIorminehavedonetooffendyou。I’msurethereisnotagentlemaninallIrelandI’dgofurthertosarve。WouldnotIgotoCorkto-morrowfortheleastwordfromyourhonour？
Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Cox，butIhavenobusinessatCorkatpresent，answeredMr。Somerville，drily。
ItisallIwish，exclaimedMr。Cox，thatIcouldfindoutandlightuponthemanthathasbeliedmetoyourhonour。
Nomanhasbeliedyou，Mr。Cox，butyournosebeliesyoumuch，ifyoudonotlovedrinkingalittle，andyourblackeyeandcutchinbelieyoumuchifyoudonotlovequarrellingalittle。
Quarrel！Iquarrel，pleaseyourhonour！Idefyanyman，orsetofmen，tenmileround，toprovesuchathing，andIamreadytofighthimthatdarestosaythelikeofme。I’dfighthimhereinyourhonour’spresence，ifhe’donlycomeoutthisminute，andmeetmelikeaman。
HereMr。Coxputhimselfintoaboxingattitude，butobservingthatMr。
Somervillelookedathisthreateninggesturewithasmile，andthatseveralpeople，whohadgatheredroundhimashestoodinthestreet，laughedattheproofhegaveofhispeaceabledisposition，hechangedhisattitude，andwentontovindicatehimselfagainstthechargeofdrinking。
Andastodrink，pleaseyourhonour，there’snotruthinit。Notadropofwhisky，goodorbad，haveItouchedthesesixmonths，exceptwhatI
tookwithJemmyM’DoolethenightIhadthemisfortunetomeetyourhonourcominghomefromthefairofBallynagrish。
TothisspeechMr。Somervillemadenoanswer，butturnedawaytolookatthebowwindowofahandsomenewinn，whichtheglazierwasatthisinstantglazing。Pleaseyourhonour，thatnewinnisnotlet，Ihear，asyet，resumedMr。Cox。ifyourhonourrecollects，youpromisedtomakemeacomplimentofitlastSeraphtidewastwelvemonth。
Impossible！criedMr。Somerville，forIhadnothoughtsofbuildinganinnatthattime。
Oh，Ibegyourhonour’spardonbutifyou’dbejustpleasedtorecollect，itwascomingthroughthegapinthebogmeadows，FORENENT
ThadyO’Connor，youmademethepromise——I’llleaveittohim，soI
will。
ButIwillnotleaveittohim，Iassureyou，criedMr。Somerville。I
nevermadeanysuchpromise。Ineverthoughtoflettingthisinntoyou。
Thenyourhonourwon’tletmehaveit？
No，youhavetoldmeadozenfalsehoods。Idonotwishtohaveyouforatenant。
Well，Godblessyourhonour。I’venomoretosay，butGodblessyourhonour，saidMr。Cox。andhewalkedaway，mutteringtohimself，asheslouchedhishatoverhisface，IhopeI’lllivetoberevengedonhim！
Mr。Somervillethenextmorningwentwithhisfamilytolookatthenewinn，whichheexpectedtoseeperfectlyfinished。buthewasmetbythecarpenter，who，witharuefulface，informedhimthatsixpanesofglassinthelargebow-windowhadbeenbrokenduringthenight。
Ha！perhapsMr。Coxhasbrokenmywindows，inrevengeformyrefusingtolethimmyhouse，saidMr。Somerville。andmanyoftheneighbours，whoknewthemaliciouscharacterofthisMr。Cox，observedthatthiswaslikeoneofhistricks。Aboyofabouttwelveyearsold，however，steppedforwardandsaid，Idon’tlikeMr。Cox，I’msure。foroncehebeatmewhenhewasdrunk。but，forallthat，nooneshouldbeaccusedwrongfully。Hecouldnotbethepersonthatbrokethesewindowslastnight，forhewassixmilesoff。Hesleptathiscousin’slastnight，andhehasnotreturnedhomeyet。SoIthinkheknowsnothingofthematter。
Mr。Somervillewaspleasedwiththehonestsimplicityofthisboy，andobservingthathelookedineagerlyatthestaircase，whenthehousedoorwasopened，heaskedhimwhetherhewouldliketogoinandseethenewhouse。Yes，sir，saidtheboy，Ishouldliketogoupthosestairs，andtoseewhatIshouldcometo。
Upwithyou，then！saidMr。Somerville。andtheboyranupthestairs。
Hewentfromroomtoroomwithgreatexpressionsofadmirationanddelight。Atlength，ashewasexaminingoneofthegarrets，hewasstartledbyaflutteringnoiseoverhishead。andlookingup，hesawawhitepigeon，who，frightenedathisappearance，begantoflyroundandroundtheroom，tillitfounditswayoutofthedoor，andflewintothestaircase。
ThecarpenterwasspeakingtoMr。Somervilleuponthelanding-placeofthestairs。but，themomenthespiedthewhitepigeon，hebrokeoffinthemidstofaspeechaboutTHENOSEofthestairs，andexclaimed，Thereheis，pleaseyourhonour！There’shethathasdoneallthedamagetoourbow-window——that’stheverysamewickedwhitepigeonthatbrokethechurchwindowslastSundaywasse’nnight。buthe’sdownforitnow。wehavehimsafe，andI’llchophisheadoff，ashedeserves，thisminute。
Stay！Ostay！don’tchophisheadoff：hedoesnotdeserveit，criedtheboy，whocamerunningoutofthegarretwiththegreatesteagerness——
_I_brokeyourwindow，sir，saidhetoMr。Somerville。Ibrokeyourwindowwiththisball。butIdidnotknowthatIhaddoneit，tillthismoment，Iassureyou，orIshouldhavetoldyoubefore。Don’tchophisheadoff，addedtheboytothecarpenter，whohadnowthewhitepigeoninhishands。
No，saidMr。Somerville，thepigeon’sheadshallnotbechoppedoff，noryourseither，mygoodboy，forbreakingawindow。Iampersuadedbyyouropen，honestcountenance，thatyouarespeakingthetruth。butprayexplainthismattertous。foryouhavenotmadeitquiteclear。Howhappeneditthatyoucouldbreakmywindowswithoutknowingit？andhowcameyoutofinditoutatlast？
Sir，saidtheboy，ifyou’llcomeuphere，I’llshowyouallIknow，andhowIcametoknowit。
Mr。Somervillefollowedtheboyintothegarret，whopointedtoapaneofglassthatwasbrokeninasmallwindowthatlookedoutuponapieceofwastegroundbehindthehouse。Uponthispieceofwastegroundthechildrenofthevillageoftenusedtoplay。Wewereplayingthereatballyesterdayevening，continuedtheboy，addressinghimselftoMr。
Somerville，andoneoftheladschallengedmetohitamarkinthewall，whichIdid。buthesaidIdidnothitit，andbademegivehimupmyballastheforfeit。ThisIwouldnotdo。andwhenhebegantowrestlewithmeforit，Ithrewtheball，asIthought，overthehouse。Herantolookforitinthestreet，butcouldnotfindit，whichIwasverygladof。butIwasverysorryjustnowtofinditmyselflyinguponthisheapofshavings，sir，underthisbrokenwindow。for，assoonasIsawitlyingthere，IknewImusthavebeenthepersonthatbrokethewindow。
andthroughthiswindowcamethewhitepigeon。Here’soneofhiswhitefeathersstickinginthegap。
Yes，saidthecarpenter，andinthebow-windowroombelowthere’splentyofhisfeatherstobeseen。forI’vejustbeendowntolook。ItwasthepigeonbrokeTHEMwindows，sureenough。
ButhecouldnothavegotinhadInotbrokethislittlewindow，saidtheboy，eagerly。andIamabletoearnsixpenceaday，andI’llpayforallthemischief，andwelcome。Thewhitepigeonbelongstoapoorneighbour，afriendofours，whoisveryfondofhim，andIwouldnothavehimkilledfortwiceasmuchmoney。
Takethepigeon，myhonest，generouslad，saidMr。Somerville，andcarryhimbacktoyourneighbour。Iforgivehimallthemischiefhehasdoneme，tellyourfriend，foryoursake。Astotherest，wecanhavethewindowsmended。anddoyoukeepallthesixpencesyouearnforyourself。
That’swhatheneverdidyet，saidthecarpenter。Many’sthesixpenceheearns，butnotahalfpennygoesintohisownpocket：itgoeseveryfarthingtohispoorfatherandmother。Happyforthemtohavesuchason！
Morehappyforhimtohavesuchafatherandmother，exclaimedtheboy。
Theirgooddaystheytookallthebestcareofmethatwastobehadforloveormoney，andwould，ifIwouldletthem，goonpayingformyschoolingnow，fallingastheybeintheworld。butImustlearntomindtheshopnow。Goodmorningtoyou，sir。andthankyoukindly，saidhetoMr。Somerville。
Andwheredoesthisboylive，andwhoarehisfatherandmother？Theycannotliveintown，saidMr。Somerville，orIshouldhaveheardofthem。
Theyarebutjustcomeintothetown，pleaseyourhonour，saidthecarpenter。TheylivedformerlyuponCounsellorO’Donnel’sestate。buttheywereruined，pleaseyourhonour，bytakingajointleasewithaman，whofellafterwardsintobadcompany，ranoutallhehad，socouldnotpaythelandlord。andthesepoorpeoplewereforcedtopayhisshareandtheirowntoo，whichalmostruinedthem。Theywereobligedtogiveuptheland。andnowtheyhavefurnishedalittleshopinthistownwithwhatgoodstheycouldaffordtobuywiththemoneytheygotbythesaleoftheircattleandstock。Theyhavethegood-willofallwhoknowthem。
andIamsureIhopetheywilldowell。Theboyisveryreadyintheshop，thoughhesaidonlythathecouldearnsixpenceaday。Hewritesagoodhand，andisquickatcastingupaccounts，forhisage。Besides，heislikelytodowellintheworld，becauseheisneverinidlecompany，andI’veknownhimsincehewastwofoothigh，andneverheardofhistellingalie。
Thisisanexcellentcharacteroftheboy，indeed，saidMr。Somerville，andfromhisbehaviourthismorningIaminclinedtothinkthathedeservesallyourpraises。
Mr。Somervilleresolvedtoinquiremorefullyconcerningthispoorfamily，andtoattendtotheirconducthimself，fullydeterminedtoassistthemifheshouldfindthemsuchastheyhadbeenrepresented。
Inthemeantime，thisboy，whosenamewasBrianO’Neill，wenttoreturnthewhitepigeontoitsowner。Youhavesaveditslife，saidthewomantowhomitbelonged，andI’llmakeyouapresentofit。Brianthankedher。andhefromthatdaybegantogrowfondofthepigeon。Healwaystookcaretoscattersomeoatsforitinhisfather’syard。andthepigeongrewsotameatlastthatitwouldhopaboutthekitchen，andeatoffthesametrencherwiththedog。
Brian，aftertheshopwasshutupatnight，usedtoamusehimselfwithreadingsomelittlebookswhichtheschoolmasterwhoformerlytaughthimarithmeticwassogoodastolendhim。Amongsttheseheoneeveningmetwithalittlebookfullofthehistoryofbirdsandbeasts。helookedimmediatelytoseewhetherthepigeonwasmentionedamongstthebirds，and，tohisgreatjoy，hefoundafulldescriptionandhistoryofhisfavouritebird。
So，Brian，Iseeyourschoolinghasnotbeenthrownawayuponyou。youlikeyourbook，Isee，whenyouhavenomasteroveryoutobidyouread，
saidhisfather，whenhecameinandsawBrianreadinghisbookveryattentively。
Thankyouforhavingmetaughttoread，father，saidBrian。HereI’vemadeagreatdiscovery：I’vefoundoutinthisbook，littleasitlooks，father，amostcuriouswayofmakingafortune。andIhopeitwillmakeyourfortune，father。andifyou’llsitdown，I’lltellittoyou。
Mr。O’Neill，inhopesofpleasinghissonratherthanintheexpectationofhavinghisfortunemade，immediatelysatdowntolisten。andhissonexplainedtohim，thathehadfoundinhisbookanaccountofpigeonswhocarriednotesandletters：and，father，continuedBrian，Ifindmypigeonisofthissort。andIintendtomakemypigeoncarrymessages。
Whyshouldnothe？Ifotherpigeonshavedonesobeforehim，Ithinkheisasgood，and，Idaresay，willbeaseasytoteachasanypigeonintheworld。Ishallbegintoteachhimto-morrowmorning。andthen，father，youknowpeopleoftenpayagreatdealforsendingmessengers。andnoboycanrun，nohorsecangallop，sofastasabirdcanfly。thereforethebirdmustbethebestmessenger，andIshouldbepaidthebestprice。
Hey，father？
Tobesure，tobesure，myboy，saidhisfather，laughing。IwishyoumaymakethebestmessengerinIrelandofyourpigeon。butallIbeg，mydearboy，isthatyouwon’tneglectourshopforyourpigeon。forI’veanotionwehaveabetterchanceofmakingafortunebytheshopthanbythewhitepigeon。
Brianneverneglectedtheshop。butinhisleisurehoursheamusedhimselfwithtraininghispigeon。andaftermuchpatienceheatlastsucceededsowell，thatonedayhewenttohisfatherandofferedtosendhimwordbyhispigeonwhatbeefwasapoundinthemarketofBallynagrish，wherehewasgoing。
Thepigeonwillbehomelongbeforeme，father。andhewillcomeinatthekitchenwindow，andlightuponthedresser。thenyoumustuntiethelittlenotewhichIshallhavetiedunderhisleftwing，andyou’llknowthepriceofbeefdirectly。
Thepigeoncarriedhismessagewell。andBrianwasmuchdelightedwithhissuccess。Hesoonwasemployedbytheneighbours，whowerearousedbyBrian’sfondnessofhisswiftmessenger。andsoonthefameofthewhitepigeonwasspreadamongstallwhofrequentedthemarketsandfairsofSomerville。
Atoneofthesefairsasetofmenofdesperatefortunesmettodrink，andtoconcertplansofrobberies。Theirplaceofmeetingwasattheale-houseofMr。Cox，themanwho，asourreadersmayremember，wasoffendedbyMr。Somerville’shintingthathewasfondofdrinkingandofquarrelling，andwhothreatenedvengeanceforhavingbeenrefusedthenewinn。
Whilstthesemenweretalkingovertheirscheme，oneofthemobserved，thatoneoftheircompanionswasnotarrived。Anothersaid，No。He’ssixmilesoff，saidanother。andathirdwishedthathecouldmakehimhearatthatdistance。Thisturnedthediscourseuponthedifficultiesofsendingmessagessecretlyandquickly。Cox’sson，aladofaboutnineteen，whowasoneofthisgang，mentionedthewhitecarrier-pigeon，andhewasdesiredtotryallmeanstogetitintohispossession。
Accordingly，thenextdayyoungCoxwenttoBrianO’Neill，andtried，atfirstbypersuasionandafterwardsbythreats，toprevailuponhimtogiveupthepigeon。Brianwasresoluteinhisrefusal，moreespeciallywhenthepetitionerbegantobullyhim。
Ifwecan’thaveitbyfairmeans，wewillbyfoul，saidCox。andafewdaysafterwardsthepigeonwasgone。Briansearchedforitinvain——
inquiredfromalltheneighboursiftheyhadseenit，andapplied，buttonopurpose，toCox。Hesworethatheknewnothingaboutthematter。Butthiswasfalse，foritwashewhoduringthenight-timehadstolenthewhitepigeon。Heconveyedittohisemployers，andtheyrejoicedthattheyhadgottenitintotheirpossession，astheythoughtitwouldservethemforausefulmessenger。
Nothingcanbemoreshortsightedthancunning。Theverymeanswhichthesepeopletooktosecuresecrecywerethemeansofbringingtheirplotstolight。Theyendeavouredtoteachthepigeon，whichtheyhadstolen，tocarrymessagesfortheminapartofthecountryatsomedistancefromSomerville。andwhentheyfanciedthatithadforgottenitsformerhabits，anditsoldmaster，theythoughtthattheymightventuretoemployhimnearerhome。Thepigeon，however，hadabettermemorythantheyimagined。TheyloosedhimfromabagnearthetownofBallynagrishinhopesthathewouldstopatthehouseofCox’scousin，whichwasonitsroadbetweenBallynagrishandSomerville。Butthepigeon，thoughhehadbeenpurposelyfedatthishouseforaweekbeforethistrial，didnotstopthere，butflewontohisoldmaster’shouseinSomerville，andpeckedatthekitchenwindow，ashehadformerlybeentaughttodo。Hisfather，fortunately，waswithinhearing，andpoorBrianranwiththegreatestjoytoopenthewindowandtolethimin。
O，father，here’smywhitepigeoncomebackofhisownaccord，
exclaimedBrian。Imustrunandshowhimtomymother。Atthisinstantthepigeonspreadhiswings，andBriandiscoveredunderoneofitswingsasmallandverydirtylookingbillet。Heopeneditinhisfather’spresence。Thescrawlwasscarcelylegible。butthesewordswereatlengthdeciphered：——
Thareareeightofuzsworn。Isendyoatbotomtharenames。Wemeatattinthisniteatmyfaders，andhaveharmsandallinradinesstobrakintothegrate’ouse。Mr。Summervillistolyeouttonite——kipthepigeonuntillto-morrow。Foreveryours，MURTAGHCOX，JUN。
Scarcelyhadtheyfinishedreadingthisnote，thanbothfatherandsonexclaimed，LetusgoandshowittoMr。Somerville。Beforetheysetout，theyhad，however，theprudencetosecurethepigeon，sothatheshouldnotbeseenbyanyonebutthemselves。Mr。Somerville，inconsequenceofthisfortunatediscovery，tookpropermeasuresfortheapprehensionoftheeightmenwhohadsworntorobhishouse。Whentheywereallsafelylodgedinthecountygaol，hesentforBrianO’Neillandhisfather。andafterthankingthemfortheservicetheyhaddonehim，hecountedouttenbrightguineasuponatable，andpushedthemtowardsBrian，saying，IsupposeyouknowthatarewardoftenguineaswasofferedsomeweeksagoforthediscoveryofJohnMacDermod，oneoftheeightmenwhomwehavejusttakenup？
No，sir，saidBrian。Ididnotknowit，andIdidnotbringthatnotetoyoutogettenguineas，butbecauseIthoughtitwasright。Idon’twanttobepaidfordoingit。
That’smyownboy，saidhisfather。Wethankyou，sir。butwe’llnottakethemoney。IDON’TLIKETOTAKETHEPRICEOFBLOOD。
Iknowthedifference，mygoodfriends，saidMr。Somerville，betweenvileinformersandcourageous，honestmen。
Why，astothat，pleaseyourhonour，thoughwearepoor，Ihopewearehonest。
And，whatismore，saidMr。Somerville，Ihaveanotionthatyouwouldcontinuetobehonest，evenifyouwererich。Willyou，mygoodlad，
continuedMr。Somerville，afteramoment’spause——willyoutrustmewithyourpigeonafewdays？
O，andwelcome，sir，saidtheboy，withasmile。andhebroughtthepigeontoMr。Somervillewhenitwasdark，andnobodysawhim。
Afewdaysafterwards，Mr。SomervillecalledatO’Neill’shouse，andbidhimandhissonfollowhim。Theyfollowedtillhestoppedoppositetothebow-windowofthenewinn。Thecarpenterhadjustputupasign，whichwascoveredoverwithabitofcarpeting。
Gouptheladder，willyou？saidMr。SomervilletoBrian，andpullthatsignstraight，forithangsquitecrooked。There，nowitisstraight。Nowpulloffthecarpet，andletusseethenewsign。
Theboypulledoffthecover，andsawawhitepigeonpainteduponthesign，andthenameofO’Neillinlargelettersunderneath。
Takecareyoudonottumbledownandbreakyourneckuponthisjoyfuloccasion，saidMr。Somerville，whosawthatBrian’ssurprisewastoogreatforhissituation。Comedownfromtheladder，andwishyourfatherjoyofbeingmasterofthenewinncalledthe’WhitePigeon。’AndIwishhimjoyofhavingsuchasonasyouare。Thosewhobringuptheirchildrenwell，willcertainlyberewardedforit，betheypoororrich。
THEBIRTHDAYPRESENT。
Mamma，saidRosamond，afteralongsilence，doyouknowwhatIhavebeenthinkingofallthistime？
No，mydear——What？
Why，mamma，aboutmycousinBell’sbirthday。doyouknowwhatdayitis？
No，Idon’tremember。
Dearmother！don’tyourememberit’sthe22ndofDecember。andherbirthdayisthedayafterto-morrow？Don’tyourecollectnow？Butyouneverrememberaboutbirthdays，mamma。ThatwasjustwhatIwasthinkingof，thatyouneverremembermysisterLaura’sbirthday，or-or-orMINE，mamma。
Whatdoyoumeanmydear？Irememberyourbirthdayperfectlywell。
Indeed！butyouneverKEEPit，though。
Whatdoyoumeanbykeepingyourbirthday？
Oh，mamma，youknowverywell——asBell’sbirthdayiskept。Inthefirstplace，thereisagreatdinner。
AndcanBelleatmoreuponherbirthdaythanuponanyotherday？
No。norIshouldnotmindaboutthedinner，exceptthemince-pies。ButBellhasagreatmanynicethings——Idon’tmeanniceeatablethings，butnicenewplaythings，giventoheralwaysonherbirthday。andeverybodydrinksherhealth，andshe’ssohappy。
Butstay，Rosamond，howyoujumblethingstogether！Isiteverybody’sdrinkingherhealththatmakeshersohappy？orthenewplaythings，orthenicemincepies？Icaneasilybelievethatsheishappywhilstsheiseatingamincepie，orwhilstsheisplaying。buthowdoeseverybody’sdrinkingherhealthatdinnermakeherhappy？
Rosamondpaused，andthensaidshedidnotknow。But，addedshe，theNICENEWplaythings，mother！
Butwhythenicenewplaythings？DoyoulikethemonlybecausetheyareNEW？
NotONLY——_I_donotlikeplaythingsONLYbecausetheyarenew。butBellDOES，Ibelieve——forthatputsmeinmind——Doyouknow，mother，shehadagreatdrawerfullofOLDplaythingsthatsheneverused，andshesaidthattheyweregoodfornothing，becausetheywereOLD。butIthoughtmanyofthemweregoodforagreatdealmorethanthenewones。Nowyoushallbejudge，mamma。I’lltellyouallthatwasinthedrawer。
Nay，Rosamond，thankyou，notjustnow。Ihavenottimetolistentoyou。
Wellthen，mamma，thedayafterto-morrowIcanshowyouthedrawer。I
wantyoutojudgeverymuch，becauseIamsureIwasintheright。And，mother，addedRosamond，stoppingherasshewasgoingoutoftheroom，willyou——notnow，butwhenyou’vetime——willyoutellmewhyyouneverkeepmybirthday——whyyounevermakeanydifferencebetweenthatdayandanyotherday？
Andwillyou，Rosamond——notnow，butwhenyouhavetimetothinkaboutit——tellmewhyIshouldmakeanydifferencebetweenyourbirthdayandanyotherday？
Rosamondthought，butshecouldnotfindoutanyreason。besides，shesuddenlyrecollectedthatshehadnottimetothinkanylonger。fortherewasacertainwork-baskettobefinished，whichshewasmakingforhercousinBell，asapresentuponherbirthday。Theworkwasatastandforwantofsomefiligree-paper，and，ashermotherwasgoingout，sheaskedhertotakeherwithher，thatshemightbuysome。HersisterLaurawentwiththem。
Sister，saidRosamond，astheywerewalkingalong，whathaveyoudonewithyourhalf-guinea？
Ihaveitinmypocket。
Dear！youwillkeepitforeverinyourpocket。Youknow，mygodmotherwhenshegaveittoyou，saidyouwouldkeepitlongerthanIshouldkeepmine。andIknowwhatshethoughtbyherlookatthetime。Iheardhersaysomethingtomymother。
Yes，saidLaura，smiling。shewhisperedsoloudthatIcouldnothelphearinghertoo。ShesaidIwasalittlemiser。
ButdidnotyouhearhersaythatIwasveryGENEROUS？andshe’llseethatshewasnotmistaken。Ihopeshe’llbebywhenIgivemybaskettoBell——won’titbebeautiful？Thereistobeawreathofmyrtle，youknow，roundthehandle，andafrostground，andthenthemedallions——
Stay，interruptedhersister，forRosamond，anticipatingthegloriesofherwork-basket，talkedandwalkedsofastthatshehadpassed，withoutperceivingit，theshopwherethefiligree-paperwastobebought。Theyturnedback。Nowithappenedthattheshopwasthecornerhouseofastreet，andoneofthewindowslookedoutintoanarrowlane。Acoachfullofladiesstoppedatthedoor，justbeforetheywentin，sothatnoonehadtimeimmediatelytothinkofRosamondandherfiligree-paper，andshewenttothewindowwhereshesawhersisterLauralookingearnestlyatsomethingthatwaspassinginthelane。
Oppositetothewindow，atthedoorofapoor-lookinghouse，therewassittingalittlegirlweavinglace。Herbobbinsmovedasquickaslightning，andsheneveroncelookedupfromherwork。Isnotsheveryindustrious？saidLaura。andveryhonest，too？addedsheinaminuteafterwards。forjustthenabakerwithabasketofrollsonhisheadpassed，andbyaccidentoneoftherollsfellclosetothelittlegirl。
Shetookitupeagerly，lookedatitasifshewasveryhungry，thenputasideherwork，andranafterthebakertoreturnittohim。Whilstshewasgone，afootmaninalivery，lacedwithsilver，whobelongedtothecoachthatstoodattheshopdoor，ashewasloungingwithoneofhiscompanions，chancedtospytheweavingpillow，whichshehadleftuponastonebeforethedoor。Todiverthimselfforidlepeopledomischiefoftentodivertthemselveshetookupthepillow，andentangledallthebobbins。Thelittlegirlcamebackoutofbreathtoherwork。butwhatwashersurpriseandsorrowtofinditspoiled。Shetwistedanduntwisted，placedandreplaced，thebobbins，whilethefootmanstoodlaughingatherdistress。Shegotupgently，andwasretiringintothehouse，whenthesilverlacedfootmanstoppedher，saying，insolently，Sitstill，child。
Imustgotomymother，sir，saidthechild。besides，youhavespoiledallmylace。Ican’tstay。
Can’tyou？saidthebrutalfootman，snatchingherweaving-pillowagain，I’llteachyoutocomplainofme。Andhebrokeoff，oneafteranother，allthebobbins，putthemintohispocket，rolledherweaving-pillowdownthedirtylane，thenjumpedupbehindhismistress’coach，andwasoutofsightinaninstant。
Poorgirl！exclaimedRosamond，nolongerabletorestrainherindignationatthisinjustice。poorlittlegirl！
AtthisinstanthermothersaidtoRosamond——Come，now，mydear，ifyouwantthisfiligreepaper，buyit。
Yes，madam，saidRosamond。andtheideaofwhathergodmotherandhercousinBellwouldthinkofhergenerosityrushedagainuponherimagination。Allherfeelingsofpitywereimmediatelysuppressed。
SatisfiedwithbestowinganotherexclamationuponthePoorlittlegirl！
shewenttospendherhalf-guineauponherfiligreebasket。Inthemeantime，shethatwascalledthelittlemiserbeckonedtothepoorgirl，and，openingthewindow，said，pointingtothecushion，Isitquitespoiled？
Quite！quitespoiled！andIcan’t，normotherneither，buyanother。andIcan’tdoanythingelseformybread。Afew，butveryfew，tearsfellasshesaidthis。
Howmuchwouldanothercost？saidLaura。
Oh，agreat——GREATdeal。
Morethanthat？saidLaura，holdingupherhalf-guinea。
Oh，no。
Thenyoucanbuyanotherwiththat，saidLaura，droppingthehalf-
guineaintoherhand。andsheshutthewindowbeforethechildcouldfindwordstothankher，butnotbeforeshesawalookofjoyandgratitude，whichgaveLauramorepleasureprobablythanallthepraisewhichcouldhavebeenbestoweduponhergenerosity。
Lateonthemorningofhercousin’sbirthday，Rosamondfinishedherwork-
basket。Thecarriagewasatthedoor——Lauracamerunningtocallher。
herfather’svoicewasheardatthesameinstant。soshewasobligedtogodownwithherbasketbuthalfwrappedupinsilverpaper——acircumstanceatwhichshewasagooddealdisconcerted。forthepleasureofsurprisingBellwouldbeutterlylostifonebitofthefiligreeshouldpeepoutbeforethepropertime。Asthecarriagewenton，Rosamondpulledthepapertoonesideandtotheother，andbyeachofthefourcorners。
Itwillneverdo，mydear，saidherfather，whohadbeenwatchingheroperations。Iamafraidyouwillnevermakeasheetofpapercoveraboxwhichistwiceaslargeasitself。
Itisnotabox，father，saidRosamond，alittlepeevishly。it’sabasket。
Letuslookatthisbasket，saidhe，takingitoutofherunwillinghands，forsheknewofwhatfrailmaterialsitwasmade，andshedreadeditscomingtopiecesunderherfather’sexamination。Hetookholdofthehandleratherroughly。when，startingoffthecoachseat，shecried，Oh，sir！father！sir！youwillspoilitindeed！saidshe，withincreasedvehemence，when，afterdrawingasidetheveilofsilverpaper，shesawhimgraspthemyrtlewreathedhandle。Indeed，sir，youwillspoilthepoorhandle。
ButwhatistheuseofTHEPOORHANDLE，saidherfather，ifwearenottotakeholdofit？Andpray，continuedhe，turningthebasketroundwithhisfingerandthumb，ratherinadisrespectfulmanner，pray，isthisthethingyouhavebeenaboutallthisweek？Ihaveseenyouallthisweekdabblingwithpasteandrags。Icouldnotconceivewhatyouwereabout。Isthisthething？
Yes，sir。Youthink，then，thatIhavewastedmytime，becausethebasketisofnouse。butthenitisapresentformyCousinBell。
YourCousinBellwillbeverymuchobligedtoyouforapresentthatisofnouse。Youhadbetterhavegivenherthepurplejar。
Oh，father！Ithoughtyouhadforgottenthat——itwastwoyearsago。I’mnotsosillynow。ButBellwilllikethebasket，Iknow，thoughitisofnouse。
ThenyouthinkBellissilliernowthanyouweretwoyearsago，——well，perhapsthatistrue。buthowcomesit，Rosamond，nowthatyouaresowise，thatyouarefondofsuchasillyperson？
_I_，father？saidRosamond，hesitating，Idon’tthinkIamVERYfondofher。
IdidnotsayVERYfond。
Well，butIdon’tthinkIamatallfondofher。
Butyouhavespentawholeweekinmakingthisthingforher。
Yes，andallmyhalfguineabesides。
Yetyouthinkhersilly，andyouarenotfondofheratall。andyousayyouknowthisthingwillbeofnousetoher。
Butitisherbirthday，sir。andIamsureshewillEXPECTsomething，andeverybodyelsewillgivehersomething。
Thenyourreasonforgivingisbecausesheexpectsyoutogivehersomething。Andwillyou，orcanyou，orshouldyou，alwaysgive，merelybecauseothersEXPECT，orbecausesomebodyelsegives？
Always？——no，notalways。
Oh，onlyonbirthdays。
Rosamond，laughing：Nowyouaremakingajokeofme，papa，Isee。butI
thoughtyoulikedthatpeopleshouldbegenerous，——mygodmothersaidthatshedid。
SodoI，fullaswellasyourgodmother。butwehavenotyetquitesettledwhatitistobegenerous。
Whyisitnotgeneroustomakepresents？saidRosamond。
Thatisthequestionwhichitwouldtakeupagreatdealoftimetoanswer。But，forinstance，tomakeapresentofathingthatyouknowcanbeofnousetoapersonyouneitherlovenoresteem，becauseitisherbirthday，andbecauseeverybodygiveshersomething，andbecausesheexpectssomething，andbecauseyourgodmothersaysshelikesthatpeopleshouldbegenerous，seemstome，mydearRosamond，tobe，sinceImustsayit，rathermorelikefollythangenerosity。
Rosamondlookeddownuponthebasket，andwassilent。ThenIamafool，amI？saidshelookingupatlast。
BecauseyouhavemadeONEmistake？No。Ifyouhavesenseenoughtoseeyourownmistakes，andcanafterwardsavoidthem，youwillneverbeafool。
Herethecarriagestopped，andRosamondrecollectedthatthebasketwasuncovered。
Nowwemustobserve，thatRosamond’sfatherhadnotbeentoosevereuponBellwhenhecalledherasillygirl。Fromherinfancyshehadbeenhumoured。andateightyearsoldshehadthemisfortunetobeaspoiledchild。Shewasidle，fretful，andselfish。sothatnothingcouldmakeherhappy。Onherbirthdaysheexpected，however，tobeperfectlyhappy。
Everybodyinthehousetriedtopleaseher，andtheysucceededsowell，thatbetweenbreakfastanddinnershehadonlysixfitsofcrying。Thecauseoffiveofthesefitsnoonecoulddiscover：butthelast，andmostlamentable，wasoccasionedbyadisappointmentaboutaworkedmuslinfrock。andaccordingly，atdressingtime，hermaidbroughtittoher，exclaiming，Seehere，miss，whatyourmammahassentyouonyourbirthday。Here’safrockfitforaqueen——ifithadbutlaceroundthecuffs。
Andwhyhasnotitlacearoundthecuffs？mammasaiditshould。
Yes，butmistresswasdisappointedaboutthelace。itisnotcomehome。
Notcomehome，indeed！anddidn’ttheyknowitwasmybirthday？ButthenIsayIwon’twearitwithoutthelace——Ican’twearitwithoutthelace，andIwon’t。
Thelace，however，couldnotbehad。andBellatlengthsubmittedtoletthefrockbeputon。
Come，MissBell，dryyoureyes，saidthemaidwhoeducatedher。dryyoureyes，andI’lltellyousomethingthatwillpleaseyou。
What，then？saidthechild，poutingandsobbing。
Why——butyoumustnottellthatItoldyou。
No，——butifIamasked？
Why，ifyouareasked，youmusttellthetruth，tobesure。SoI’llholdmytongue，miss。
Nay，tellme，though，andI’llnevertell——ifIAMasked。
Well，then，saidthemaid，yourcousinRosamondiscome，andhasbroughtyouthemostBEAUTIFULLESTthingyoueversawinyourlife。butyouarenottoknowanythingaboutittillafterdinner，becauseshewantstosurpriseyou。andmistresshasputitintoherwardrobetillafterdinner。
Tillafterdinner！repeatedBell，impatiently。Ican’twaittillthen。
Imustseeitthisminute。Themaidrefusedherseveraltimes，tillBellburstintoanotherfitofcrying，andthemaid，fearingthathermistresswouldbeangrywithHER，ifBell’seyeswereredatdinnertime，consentedtoshowherthebasket。
Howpretty！——butletmehaveitinmyownhands，saidBell，asthemaidheldthebasketupoutofherreach。
Oh，no，youmustnottouchit。forifyoushouldspoilit，whatwouldbecomeofme？
Becomeofyou，indeed！exclaimedthespoiledchild，whoneverconsideredanythingbutherownimmediategratification——BecomeofYOU，indeed！whatsignifiesthat——Isha’n’tspoilit。andIwillhaveitinmyownhands。Ifyoudon’tholditdownformedirectly，I’lltellthatyoushowedittome。
Thenyouwon’tsnatchit？
No，no，Iwon’tindeed，saidBell。butshehadlearnedfromhermaidatotaldisregardoftruth。Shesnatchedthebasketthemomentitwaswithinherreach。Astruggleensued，inwhichthehandleandlidweretornoff，andoneofthemedallionscrushedinwards，beforethelittlefuryreturnedtohersenses。