The Daisy Chain, or Aspirations

s second, n

nd must mak

not in vai

ps, moving

like the yo

earthly o

avenly of the so

not feel at all secure that she should have anythin

the improvement of her scholars. Since the departure of Mr. Wilmot, matters at Stoneborough National Sch

opinions and proscribed all books not agreeing thereto, everything "dogmatical" was excluded; and, as Ethel said, the children learned nothing but facts about lions and steam-engines, while their doctrine varied with that of the visitor for the week. If the ten generals could only have given up to Miltiades, but, ala

borderers voluntarily patronised Cherry Elwood, and thus had, perhaps, first aroused the emulation that led

an, her mother! Miss Flora and Miss Ethel must have had a great deal to undergo, and she would lose no time in convening the Ladies' Committee, and appointing a successor to "that Elwood," as soon as a fit room could be erected for her use. If Margaret h

d hands on one of the books, and said that she should take it home, and see whether it were a fit one for them to use; whereupon Mrs. Elwood had burst out in defence-it was Miss Ethel May's book, and should not be taken away-it was Miss Ethel as she looked to; and when it seemed that Mrs. Ledwich had said something disparaging of Miss Ethel, either

e dull than was her wont. Her real feelings did not appear till the next Sunday, when, in her peaceful conference with Margaret, far from the sound of storms, she expressed tha

be hard to find such a teacher in humility! Cherry bears

e truth, honesty, and respectful demeanour of Cherry's scholars with the notorious faults of the National School girls, as if these defects had be

to Cocksmoor, unmolested by further reports of Mrs. Ledwich's proceedings. Richard was absent, preparing for ordination, but Norman had just r

tutor, and talking over the removal to Eton of Tom, who had well responded to the care taken of him, and wit

ions, and comments on present opinions had been listened to with great eagerness, and Norman had felt it an infinite honour to give the venerable old man his arm, as to be shown by him his curious collection of books. His parish, carefully watched for so many years, had been a study not lost upon N

, in a low voice, from

ached the open air again, he drew a long breath; and when Mary eagerly tried for a

s one advantage of being blind. No o

ng all your questions

ne else would

hard words,"

hought I was

derive, and instruction, and

is better for them to be drawn up, and you will soon

like it?" said M

be fastidious," he answere

am so glad!

to us now, all end in nothing but such as this! Think of old Mr. Wilmot, once carrying al

"One soul is worth-" and she pau

so elated, do not render us so fit t

oubled. Strength tells in power. The more lear

t thing he learned at his parish was, how little his

ut humility, but his nature was self-contemplative and self-conscious enough to perceive his superiority of talent, and it had been the struggle of his life to abase this perception, so that it was actually a relief not to be obliged to fight wi

had driven the whole to

aried life, it was a great amusement to have so many bright elegant things exhibited to her, and Ethel was often mor

tudy was over. Thenceforth, lessons were a necessary form, gone through without heart or diligence. These were reserved for paste-board boxes, bep

s Bracy's feelings, and this was a

er or a thunder-storm can check them. All Ethel's good sense was of no avail; she could not stop Miss Bracy, and, though she might resolve within herself that real kindness would be to make one reasonable reply, and then quit the subject, yet, on each individual occasion, such a measure would have seemed mere impatience and cruelty. She f

me more urgent, Dr. May and Margaret concurred in a decision, that it was better to yie

that Jack built," always starting from "the box that Mary made." Come when Dr. May would into the drawing-room, there was

anche drew Hector over to the feminine party, setting him to gum, gild, and paste all the contrivances whi

of the Alcestis, so successfully, that the doctor promised to

illiance on the wit of Harvey Anderson, who was prospering at his college, and the pride of his family. A great talker, and extremely gallant, he was considered a far greater acquisition to a Stoneborough drawing-room than was the silent, bashf