young ones, and how their manners have improved. But I say, Mr.
Fraser, don't tell Pigott; she cannot climb trees, and does not like
to see me do it. She does not know I went after them myself."

Mr. Fraser laughed.

"I won't tell her, Angela, my dear; but you must be careful--you might
tumble and kill yourself."

"I don't think I shall, Mr. Fraser, unless I am meant to. God looks
after me as much when I am up a tree as when I am upon the ground."

Once more he had nothing to say; he could not venture to disturb her
faith.

"I will walk home with you, my dear. Tell me. Angela, would you like
to learn?"

"Learn!--learn what?"

"Books, and the languages that other nations, nations that have passed
away, used to talk, and how to calculate numbers and distances."

"Yes, I should like to learn very much; but who will teach me? I have
learnt all Pigott knows two years ago, and since then I have been
trying to learn about the trees and flowers and stars; but I look and
watch, and can't understand."

"Ah! my dear, contact with Nature is the highest education; but the
mind that would appreciate her wonders must have a foundation of