"Now, look mamma!" said Rhoda, after having arranged the shawl according to her own ideas of comfort: "does it not seem just the thing for Mary? It will cure your rheumatism, dame, depend upon it."

"I shouldn't wonder if it did, Miss; it is so nice, and thick, and warm:" and, as the old woman spoke, she passed her withered hands over the surface of the shawl, and examined it with admiring eyes.

"Do you think it is pretty, Mr. Davenport?" asked Rhoda.

"Indeed, I think it is not only pretty, but a famous warm covering; and will, I am sure, be quite a comfort to Mary."

"We must now be going," said Mrs. Bloomfield: "the weather seems chang

ing, and appears as if we should have a snow-storm. So, good-b'ye, Mary: Jenny takes care of you, I see, like a good girl."

Jenny, smiling and curtsying, opened the cottage door; and the party took their leave of the poor old woman, who loaded them with blessings and thanks.

"Will you give us the pleasure of your company to dinner, to-day, Mr. Davenport?" said Mrs. Bloomfield to the rector, who held Rhoda by the hand.

"I should be most happy to do so," answered he, "but I am expecting my sister and brother. They are just arrived from India, and promised to be with us this evening; therefore I must be at the rectory to receive them."

"Under these circumstances, we must not persuade you to come with us," re

turned Mrs. Bloomfield; "but we shall hope to see you all in a few days."

"I hope so, too,” replied the rector; then, shaking hands with the little party, he left them to proceed on their way homewards.

66

Mamma," said Rhoda, as they walked along, "I think I am happier, after all, than if I had bought the baby-house; because I could not then have given Dame Hollis that nice shawl: and the poor old woman was so pleased with it, that it was quite a treat to see her."

"I am perfectly of your opinion, my dear," answered Mrs. Bloomfield: "we are much happier when contributing to the comfort of others, than we could possibly be in merely gratifying our own fancies. This feeling, my child, springs

from charity, which seeketh not her own pleasure or advantage, but that of others."

66

Charity is a very pleasant feeling, then, dear mamma; for my heart seems so light and happy!" and the child skipped along, with joyous steps; singing merrily.

The snow now began to fall: at first only in small, thin flakes; but, before the party arrived at the manor-house, the wind rose, and the soft, white shower descended thicker and faster; so that they were very glad to be at home.

1

58

CHAPTER V.

THE SUBJECT OF CHARITY CONTINUED.

In the evening Rhoda entreated her papa to continue his conversation about charity; which their guests had prevented his doing on the preceding day.

Mr. Bloomfield readily granted her request; and said, "I believe we were speaking of charity not being easily provoked."

"Yes, papa; and, then, I find, in the same verse, the apostle goes on to say, that, 'charity thinketh no evil.'

"You are quite right, my dear child : and pray observe the beautiful simplicity