CHAPTER XI.

ROUGH PLACES.

To obtain possession of the hymn-book she desired, was not so very
difficult in Tidy's estimation. The numerous visitors at the house,
pleased with her bright face, her gentle manners, and ready attentions,
often dropped a coin into her hand, and these little moneys
were carefully treasured for the accomplishment of her purpose.
She calculated that by Christmas-time she should have enough money
to buy it, and Uncle Simon she knew would procure it for her.
Her greatest anxiety now was to be ready to use it.

But how could she make herself ready? How was she to learn without
a teacher or a book?

There had been an old primer for some time tossing about the play-room--
its scarlet cover looking more gorgeous and tempting in Tidy's eyes,
as they fell upon it day after day, than any trinket or gewgaw she
could have seen; yet she dared not touch it. She was too honest
to appropriate it to herself without leave, and she was afraid
to allude to the forbidden lessons by asking Amelia or Susan for it.
Several times she tried to draw their attention to the neglected book,
and to give them some hint of her own longing for it,--but all
to no avail. One day, however, she had orders from the children
to clear up the room thoroughly.

"Make every thing neat as a pin," said Amelia, "while we go
down to dinner, for we are going to have company this afternoon;