frolic heard of. Let her learn the difference between huckleberries and blackberries-learn where checkerberries grow thickest, and dig up sweet-flag-root with her own hands, as country children do. It would do her good to plant a few hills of potatoes, and hoe them herself, as I once heard of a royal princess doing, because queens can afford to be sensible in bringing up their daughters.'

Now Emily's mamma and grandmamma and aunts, and all the rest of them, concluded that Dr. Hardhack was a very funny, odd old fellow, and, as he was very despotic and arbitrary, they set about immediately inquiring for a nice, neat farm-house where the Doctor's orders could be obeyed; and, curiously enough, they fixed on the very place where our Pussy lived; and so the two girls came together, and were introduced to each other, after having lived each sixteen years in this world of ours in such very different circumstances.

It was quite an event, I assure you, at the simple little farm-house, when one day a handsome travelling-carriage drove up to the door, and a lady and gentleman alighted and inquired if they were willing to take summer boarders.

'Indeed,' said Pussy's mother, 'we have never done such a thing, or thought of it. I don't know what to say till I ask my husband.'

'My daughter is a great invalid,' said the lady, 'and the Doctor has recommended country air for her.'

'I'm afraid it would be too dull here to suit her,' said Pussy's mother.

'That is the very thing the Doctor requires,' said Emily's mother. 'My daughter's nerves are too excitable-she requires perfect quiet and repose.'

'What is the matter with your daughter?' said Mary Primose.

'Well, she is extremely delicate; she suffers from palpitations of the heart; she can't go up

stairs, even, or make the smallest exertion, without bringing on dreadful turns of fluttering and faintness.'

'I'm afraid,' said Mrs. Primrose, 'we should not be able to wait on her as she would need. We keep no servants.'

'We would be willing to pay well for it,' said Emily's mother. Money is no object with us.' 'Mother, do let her come,' said Pussy, who had stolen in and stood at the back of her mother's chair. I want her to get well, and I'll wait on her. I'm never tired, and could do twice as much as I do any day.'

'What a healthy-looking daughter you have!' said Emily's mother, surveying her with a look of admiration.

'Well,' said Pussy's mother, if she thinks best, I think we will try to do it: for about everything on our place goes as she says, and she has the care of everything.'

And so it was arranged that the next week the new boarder was to come.

XI.

ND so it was settled that our elegant young friend, Miss Emily Proudie,

was to go and stay at the farm

house with Pussy Willow. Dr. Hardhack came in to give his last directions, in the presence of grandmamma and the aunts and mamma, who all sat in an anxious circle.

'Do pray, dear Dr. Hardhack, tell us just how she must be dressed for that cold mountain

region. Must she have high-necked, longsleeved flannels?' said mamma.

I will make her half a dozen at once,' chimed in Aunt Maria.

'Not so fast,' said Dr. Hardhack. 'Let's see

about this young lady,' and with that Dr. Hardhack endeavoured to introduce his forefinger under the belt of Miss Emily's dress.

Now the Doctor's forefinger being a stout one, and Miss Emily's belt-ribbon being drawn very snugly round her, the belt-ribbon gave a smart snap, and the Doctor drew out his finger with a jerk. I thought so,' he said. 'I supposed that there wasn't much breathing room allowed behind there.'

'O, I do assure you, Doctor, Emily never dresses tight,' said her mother.

'No indeed!' said little Miss Emily. 'I despise tight lacing. I never wear my clothes any more than just comfortable.'

'Never saw a woman that did,' said the Doctor. The courage and constancy of the female sex in bearing inconveniences is so great, however, that that will be no test at all. Why, if you should catch a fellow, and gird his ribs in as Miss Emily wears hers all the time, he'd roar