"
They both laughed; and Elizabeth said, "That wasn't what you meant
about your papa. Susy cares for goodness."
"No, it was not all I meant; but it was seeing high and noble
thoughts expressed in beautiful verses that gives him pleasure; and
when he has a little bit of leisure, it is his great treat to open a
book of that sort, and read a little bit to us, and tell us why we
like it. He says it makes him young again, and takes him out of the
dingy streets, and from all his cares as to how the bills are to be
paid."
"Did you like coming here?" was Bessie's home question; and Miss
Fosbrook winked away a little moisture, as she said,
"I was glad to be growing a woman, and to be able to help about some
of those bills; and then I was glad to come into the beautiful
country that Papa has so often told us about."
"I did not know there was anything beautiful here."
"O Bessie, you never lived in London! You can't think how many
things are beautiful to me here! I want to be writing about them to
Papa and Kate all day long."
"Are they?" said Bessie. "Mamma has pretty things in the drawing-
room, but she keeps them out of the way; and everything here is so
dull and stupid!" and the little girl gave a yawn.
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