"Yes -- Why, my dear child?" "There are so many spots on them." Her mother stooped down beside her and spoke cheerfully. "What are you thinking of now, Winnie?" "Only, mamma, I am glad to think of it," she said, nestling her sunny little head in her mother's neck. "I wanted yesterday that Will and Governor should have better clothes." "Well, Winnie, I wanted it too -- I would have given them better if I had had them." "But mamma, ought I to have wished that?" "Why yes, dear Winnie; it is a pleasant thing to have comfortable clothes, and it is right to wish for them, provided we can be patient when we don't get them. But still I think dear Governor and Will will be pretty comfortable this winter. We will try to make them so." "Yes mamma, --but I wanted them to be _smart_." "It is right to be smart, Winnie, if we aren't _too_ smart." "I wish I could be always just right, mamma." "The rightest thing will be for you to go to sleep," said her mother, kissing her eyes and cheeks. "I'll be through my work directly and then you shall sit in my lap and rest -- I don't want to sew to-night. Winnie, the good Shepherd will gather my little lamb with his arm and carry her in his bosom, if she minds his voice; and then he will bring her by and by where she shall walk with him in white, and there will be no spots on the white any more." "I know. Make haste, mother, and let us sit down together and talk." So they did, with Asahel at their feet; but they didn't talk much. They kept each other silent and soft companionship, till Winifred's breathing told that she had lost her troubles in sleep on her mother's bosom. "Poor little soul! she takes it hard," said Karen. "She's 'most as old as her mother now." "You must get her to play with you, Asahel, as much as you can," Mrs. Landholm said in a whisper. "Why mamma? aint she well?" "I don't know -- I'm afraid she wont keep so." "She's too good to be well," said Karen. Which was something like true. Not in the vulgar prejudice, as Karen understood it. It was not Winifred's goodness which threatened her well-being; but the very delicate spirits which answered too promptly and strongly every touch; too strong in their acting for a bodily frame in like manner delicate. CHAPTER XIII. _Mess_. -- He hath indeed, better bettered expectation, than you must expect me to tell you how. _Leon_. -- He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Mr. Landholm came back in excellent spirits from Shagarack. The boys were well entered, Will Junior and Winthrop Sophomore, and with very good credit to themselves. This had been their hope and intention, with the view of escaping the cost of one and two years of a college life. President Tuttle had received them very kindly, and everything was promising; the boys in good heart, and their father a proud man.