This was sewing afternoon. As soon as they were all in their seats, Mary took out a large work-basket, that was filled with little parcels, nicely wrapped up, and the owner’s name was written on each parcel. Lily Forester and Harry Linn stood beside Mary to pass along the work as she gave it to them. They were the youngest scholars in the school, and they were always glad when sewing afternoon came, because they could help Mary. One girl had a pocket handkerchief to hem for her brother; one had some patch-work; one was working a Bible-cover in cross-stitch; one was learning to knit a garter; and little Lily’s work was an apron for her doll, which Mary had fitted for her. While the girls were busied at their work, the boys, (except Harry Linn,) stood up to say a geography lesson. Now, my little readers, whoever you may be, can you tell how many boys were in the geography class? You will remember Mary had eight scholars. Read over how many girls were at their sewing, then add to their number Harry Linn, and say how many boys were in the class. Harry and Lily, somehow or other, always had their little heads close together. Harry liked to help Lily, and Lily liked to help Harry. Sometimes, like other little children, they quarrelled; but they soon became friends again without any body’s help; and then Harry would say, “Come, Lily, let us kiss and make up.” This afternoon, Harry asked leave to show Lily a picture-book which his father had given him, and Mary told him he might sit by Lily, as soon as she had finished a finger’s length of hemming. Harry waited till the sewing was done, and then he sat close to Lily, and showed her his picture-book. [Illustration: ~First Day.~ One of Harry’s Pictures. p. 31. ] There was a picture of two little humming-birds and a nest; and one of a horse, with a boy and a bag of flour on his back; and Harry told Lily, the little boy was coming home from the mill, with a bag of flour to make some cakes for supper; and Lily said, “Harry, I would like to have some of the cakes; wouldn’t you?” Harry’s book had more pictures than these two in it. There was one of a little girl feeding chickens, and one of a shepherd and his sheep, and one of a boy spinning a famous top. Lily liked the picture of the little girl feeding chickens best: and Harry liked the picture of the boy and his top best. And Harry said to Lily, “Lily, if you will look at my picture first, then I will look at your picture;” but Lily was tired of looking at Harry’s picture; and she said it was ugly; and she moved away from Harry. This offended Harry, and he told her he didn’t love her any more, and she should not see his book. And he went away from Lily and took his book with him. When the boys, who had been saying a geography lesson, had taken their seats, Mary called Harry and Lily to come and repeat the multiplication table.