Hollowmell / or, A Schoolgirl's Mission

he pupils of Miss Marsden's Seminary for young Ladies. Some were even heard expressing disappointment with the novel arrangement, and Mona, who seemed as utterly at a loss to acc

s was observed to sit quite still, attentively contemplating the toe of her boot, and never o

th appeared to be deeply interested in their work, and did not exchange a word, although talking wa

friends, and was preying upon Minnie's mind, which hypothesis, however, was quickly annihilated whe

nt for a solution of the mystery, but no solution was forthcoming. Then came Saturday, on which

me, as Minnie's brothers were all at home on Saturday, and would be l

e world had not dealt too kindly. Her mother was dead, which circumst

tion to allow no interference with what she considered her special department, declaring indeed that she could not perform her duties to her own satisfaction, or her brother's comfort, if her mind was disturbed by having anyone to direct or issue orders to. Thus it was that when Minnie appeared, directly after breakfast, Mabel was

ted Minnie, after

ted Mabel in

e lau

have teasing-and please don't be so awfully cautious: one would think you deligh

pping her arm round Minnie, who tried to get

t of your cogitations-you are

t be Queen!"

lor of the Exchequer, thank you,

, but I don't think if I had the power of appointment

uddenly dropping her assumed stiffness, she continued. "But you don't know what a genius I am going to turn out

r; you are continually astonishing one

y await your sanction to become law-you see this is quite a different form of government

e," observed

e whether your further consideration has c

t it seemed, and yet I am convinced more than ever of the necessity of our tak

what we intend

re compelled to go to school, yet they don't seem to be influenced in any great degree moral

hardened in them all. Mrs. Merton and the missionary, not to speak of the Episcopal Church curate, have all assailed them in turn, with tracts, hymn books and Sunday-schools-not that I would for a moment seem to despise these methods-only I think that in cases like this they should be introduced judiciously, and when the people are in a fit temper to receive them, and treat them with the respect they deserve; instead of being, as it were, thrown at them just at a time, when they will most probably not feel

nstrained to admit that it was at least fair in the main, if a li

if we wish to succeed," concluded Minnie, "and I hereby beg to

d at her in

azy!" she exclaimed when

eath. The style of entertainment I have in my head is a very small, innocent kind of affair, as you will perceive when I tell you that they are to be carried out by ourselves, a

ly less mystified than before, "It can't be don

for a good purpose, but I wasn't going to do that, because, in the first place, I wished to keep the thing a secret between ourselves till we see how it will

it happens to be his work-people with whom we have to do, and I daresay it is

est. I have saved a good deal, for I have done without some things-a good many things-and given the money they would have cost to papa to keep for me because I was always afraid I might use it for something else.

you won't be sorry for it when your birthday comes an

won't matter much, I shall be so much more happy that it has been spen

k upon, and there will be no end of arrangements to be mad

ou I went round by the Hollow-I was sorry I did not think of it sooner, I might have gone along with you as far as that-well, I noticed that one of the houses

se also, and it did occur to me that it would be a promising spot, but the

exact direction in which my genius lies has at last be

el. "I am doubtless very dull, but I should like to be quit

al dismay, "I am about as uncertain as yourself. I was just trusting to your general

matter more fully, but proceed to business. What do you think of ta

night about our other arrangements. I must be off now, and dispose of so

shall only have an hour to spare,

e, you may count on my being ready."

ack and went i

would think that a serious thought never entered her head, and yet how full

-aye, truly I have known about them since I knew anything, yet of what use has the knowledge been to me. It's like the 'learned lumber' Pope speaks about-it's like rummaging in a library without a light. O, will light such as Minnie speaks about ever dawn in my heart? Will such a change as has beautified and softened her life