and I'll not buy a single lump of sugar-candy, for I do want poor
Hannah to have her pig."

"And so will we!" cried the younger ones with one voice.

"Only," added Susan, "I must buy Dicky's canary seed."

"And I must have a queen's head to write to Mamma," said Annie.

"Oh! never mind that, such trumpery as your letters are," said Hal.
"Mamma could say them by heart before she gets them. What does she
care for them?"

Little Annie looked very deplorable.

"Never mind, my dear," said Miss Fosbrook, "mammas always care for
little girls' letters, and you are quite right to keep a penny for
your stamp for her.--You see, Hal, this scheme will never come to
good if you sacrifice other duties to it."

Henry twirled round impatiently.

"Now suppose," said Miss Fosbrook, "that we set up a treasury, and
put all in that we can properly afford, and then break it open on the
day before the fair, and see how much we have."

"Oh! yes, yes," cried the children in raptures.

"Will you help, Miss Fosbrook?" said Susan, clasping her hands.