Poor Robert gave one long look at his brother, heaved a deep sigh, and
went on his way. And naughty John sat in the tree and watched him, after
he had crossed the stile, walk along the smooth broad pathway that led
through the field, then enter the church-yard, and stoop to read a verse
on a tomb-stone; then take out his kerchief, wipe a tear from his eye,
look upward to the cloudless heaven, and then he was gone. And John sat
still in the tree, and he said to himself, "Oh! that I were as good as
my brother; but I will go down and follow him."

So he went down from the tree, leapt over the stile, ran along the
fields, and did not stay to gather _one_ cowslip, though each one made
him a golden bow as he passed. And when he went into the school-room,
though he was only five minutes later than his brother, he told his
master the whole truth, and how naughty he would have been, had it not
been for a kind little thought, which came into his mind, and bade him
try to be as good as his brother.



* * * * *


[Illustration: The Frosty Morning.]


The Frosty Morning.


"Oh! this clear frosty morning! it makes one feel all life and glee.
I declare I have been running about the garden till I am all of a glow;