rich Indian uncle: but he must be of solid gold. He should come to
us along the Bawtry road in a palanquin with bells jingling at the
fringes. Ann, sister Ann, run you to the top of the mound and say if
you see such an uncle coming. Moll, dear, 'tis your turn to wish."

"I wish," said Molly, "for a magic mirror." Hetty gave a start,
thinking she spoke of a glass which should hide her deformity.
But Molly went on gravely. "I should call it my Why Mirror, for it
would show us why we live as we do, and why mother goes ill-clothed
and sometimes hungry. No, I am not grumbling; but sometimes I wish
to _know_--only to _know!_ I think my mirror would tell me something
about my brothers, and what they are to do in the world. And I am
sure it would tell me that God is ordering this for some great end.
But I am weak and impatient, and, if I knew, I could be so much
braver!" She ended abruptly, and for a moment or two all the sisters
were silent.

"Come, Nancy," said Hetty at length. "Patty will wish for a harp,
for certain"--Patty's burning desire to possess one was as notorious
in the family as her absolute lack of ear for music--"and Emmy will
ask for a new pair of shoes, if she is wise." Emilia tucked a foot
out of sight under her skirt.

"But I don't understand this game," put in Kezzy. "A moment ago it
was _Blue Beard_, and now it seems to be _Beauty and the Beast_.
Which is it?"

"We may need Molly's mirror to tell us," Hetty answered lightly: and
with that she glanced up as a shadow darkened the golden sky above
the mound, and a voice addressed the sisters all. "Good evening,