"What a pity! How shall we manage then?" said Ferdinand, putting on a look of great consideration. "We must have patience till we can make one of proper size, I believe," added Emily: "but here comes mamma." Ferdinand and Louisa instantly seized each a hand of little Tommy, and led him forward, whilst Emily followed with the baby. [lacuna] _protegeis_, and thanked her children for the assistance they had rendered her. The idea of having afforded their mother assistance, as well as having extended their benevolence towards a poor stranger in distress, gladdened their affectionate little hearts, and never was there a happier group. "Ah, mamma, I am now convinced of the truth of what you said," continued Ferdinand, "that the departure of Edward is not a real evil. Do you not think it is very useful to see real sorrow sometimes?" _Mrs. B._ Indeed, my dear boy, I do. It teaches us the true value of the blessings we enjoy, and, I should hope, would fill our minds with gratitude towards the Dispenser of so many favours. In attention to their new charge, the children spent a most happy day, and in the evening, Emily and Louisa, according to the promise they had given Ferdinand, began to make the clothes for little Susan; whilst he read aloud to them the following account of the earthquake in Calabria, which had been the subject of their conversation during the morning walk. "Having hired a boat, in company with four more, two friars of the order of St. Francis, and two seculars, we launched, on the twenty-fourth [lacuna]