'The pig-stye!' exclaimed Elizabeth, as she darted off towards the yardgate.

'Cousin! I say cousin Elizabeth,' shouted Arthur, 'I only shut her in for a joke, because she would have me open the door. There are no pigs in the stye.'

There is a pig; I see a live pig's tail,' shrieked poor little Rose; 'nobody would take me out.'

Elizabeth found her squeezed up in a corner, and looking with great dislike at the live pig's tail. The rest of the animal was hidden from sight, and in spite of the screaming, it appeared fast asleep. 'Nobody would take me out,' sobbed Rose. 'Arthur was a very naughty boy.'

'I did not come to you sooner, because you cried before when nothing was the matter,' said Elizabeth, and I

could not think that Arthur would do

such a trick.'

Arthur had by this time climbed over into the pig-stye, to make his own observations, and finding two pigs he looked thoroughly frightened. 'I am sure I thought it was empty,' muttered he to himself; Thomas told me yesterday he had moved the pigs out because the trough wanted mending.

6

This will be a pretty story for your journal,' said Elizabeth, slily; 'I will go and get you some paper.' Arthur held her fast by her frock, without speaking. Why do you hold me? do not you wish for the paper.'

'Yes, the paper if you like-only-I do not think I shall tell about the pigstye, because mamma is very particular about Rose, and you know it was all a mistake. I did not mean to shut you in

with the pigs, did I, Rose?'

pushed him away.

Rose

Then if I kept a journal,' said Elizabeth, perhaps you would wish me to say nothing about it.'

Arthur nodded his head, and added in a whining tone, Pray dont.'

'I will make a bargain with you,' said Elizabeth; but pray tell me first, do you suppose it is pleasant to Arabella that you should keep an account of her being obstinate; or that you should talk of it before her?'

'I do not know.'

'Yes you do know, if you think, because I am sure you would not like it yourself.'

Very well, then, I will make a bargain; you shall say nothing about the pigs to mamma, or to any big person, and I will not call Arabella obstinate, if I can help it, once while you stay.'

'Very well,' said Elizabeth, 'so let it be; but, Arthur, if I were to tell my uncle and aunt of anything you did wrong it would be for your own sake, and not to tease you, as you tease poor Arabella. Now come quickly, if you want your pen mended and paper ruled, because I must go to my work.'

It was well for Arabella that her frock was in such willing hands; for the little girl herself had exercises, and an hour's practising to do in the afternoon; and if Elizabeth had not worked hard, it would not have been finished. 'Now a bit of tape for the pocket-hole, and a bobbin to run through the top, and then we have done. Who is to take the things to the little girl's house?'

'I should like very much to go with them myself,' said Arabella, 'but I am afraid there is not time before eight o'clock;' and with a sigh she went out

of the room to look at the clock. See!' said Elizabeth, when she returned, 'we have put in one of the sleeves wrong side

outwards.'

'I did that,' replied Arabella; 'what a great pity! I cannot stay to alter it for it is eight o'clock now.'

'Never mind,' said her cousin, 'I can soon pick it out and sew it in again; only I hope you did not promise that the poor child should have the clothes tonight. Could not we take them tomorrow before nine o'clock ?'

'She is to be at school by nine.'

'Before eight then, could not we? I will wake you in time, and I am sure you would like to try them on yourself. Do you think my aunt would have any objection?'

No; but it was very stupid of me to sew that sleeve wrong, and you will be quite tired of working.'