of a plant is a great wonder; and though I see it every day of my life, I never cease to admire it. I am thankful that my business lies amongst the 'lilies of the field,' that I may see how beautifully they are arrayed, and acknowledge the Providence that clothes them."

Gilbert listened to the gardener with great attention; and as he looked round upon the trees and plants, he thought that there was something to be learned about them that he had never before considered. He had hitherto looked upon a flower as something very pretty and sweet, but now it brought new thoughts into his mind. He stood in silence, looking upon the gardener's scythe as it moved regularly over the green turf.

CHAPTER VI.

THE TRUANT PERSUADED TO GO HOME-THE

WITHOUT
FRIEND.

CONFESSION-FISHING

LEAVE-THE ESCAPE-SLEEPING IN THE HAY-A

MRS. DUNCAN now came into the garden; and the gardener, taking off his hat, and wishing her a good morning, added, "This young gentleman and I have been discoursing a little, ma'am."

"And have you been teaching him to mow, Gregory?"

"Not exactly, ma'am; though if looking earnest at the work could do it, he would soon be able to handle a scythe."

แ And where are the violets, Gilbert ?"

He looked up half surprised. "I quite forgot

them," he said, and then ran off to the spot where he had left his basket. He picked up the violets he had already gathered, and replaced them in the basket from which they had fallen, and carefully went on plucking more. While thus employed, he thought he heard a rustling in the plantation behind the hedge; he looked up, and saw the branches move, but he could see nothing more. Presently he heard the rustling again; and this time he was certain he saw a face looking through the hedge. His first impulse was to run away, and he had turned round; but he stopped an instant, and felt how great a coward he was; so he stood still, and looked steadily at the spot where he had seen, or fancied he had seen, the face, and there it was again, and he was able to discover that it was a boy's face. "What do you want?" said Gilbert, trying not to appear frightened.

"Pray, is Mr. White at work here ?" said the boy.

"I don't know," replied Gilbert.

"Gregory White, the gardener," repeated the lad.

.

Oh, yes, he is here," answered Gilbert. "Dc you want to speak to him?"

"If he is alone," said the boy.

"What's your name?" inquired Gilbert.

"That don't matter," the boy said. "Tell him to come to the hedge to speak to somebody."

Gilbert went to Gregory, and told him a boy behind the hedge wanted to speak to him.

"What business has he there, I wonder?" said the gardener. "Well, I'll come and see after him;" and laying down his scythe, he went. towards the hedge, Gilbert following him. As soon as he saw the boy's face, he said, "Why, Jemmy, what brings you here?"

"Have not you heard, Mr. White? Doesn't mother know ?" "Know! know what? What has happened, eh, lad?" exclaimed Gregory.

Gilbert plucked his sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Yes, Mr. Gregory, yes! she does know." But the man paid no heed to his words, thinking he was only making some childish remark.

"I don't know what to do," continued the boy. "I

dare not go to mother; I'm so hungry and tired!" and he began to cry.

Well, boy, and if you are so hungry and tired, who so likely to give you food as your mother? What have you been doing? Oh, I begin to see what it is! You have been playing truant-running away, eh? is that it ?"

"I didn't mean to run away. I'm sure mother will never take me home, and Mrs. Duncan will be very angry. I came to you to ask you to speak for

me."

"No, she won't be angry, indeed she won't," said Gilbert, with great earnestness. "Tell him his mother will let him go home; that she is very unhappy about him, and wants to see him; tell him so, Mr. Gregory."

Why, what can you know about the matter, my little man? I thought you were a stranger, only just come here."

"So I am," said Gilbert; "but I was in the room last night with Mrs. Duncan, when the Widow Park