And now I can only close my preface as I have closed the book, in the earnest hope that it may have the effect of leading some mothers to train rightly the little shoots springing up around the parent tree, restraining their wandering inclinations, and teaching them ever to look and grow towards Heaven. THE AUTHOR. Contents. CHAPTER I. LITTLE AGNES. Page The cross baby brother—The patient sister—The novel-reading mamma—The broken work-box—Undeserved punishment—The lock of papa’s hair—Old Mammy—The cold north room—“Never alone”—Aunt Wharton—Lewie sick—A pleasant change for the little prisoner CHAPTER II. BROOK FARM. Bridget’s rage—Mammy’s story—The runaway match—The dead father—The cheerful home at Brook Farm—Cousin Emily—The ice palace—Christmas secrets—The mother’s agony—Life from the dead CHAPTER III. CHRISTMAS TIME. Preparations for Christmas—The needle-book—Santa Claus himself expected -Old Cousin Betty—Loads of presents—Christmas Eve—Appearance of Santa Claus—“Who can he be?”—Cousin Tom—Poor Emily’s grief CHAPTER IV. COUSIN BETTY. Cousin Betty—Absence of mind and body—A habit of dying—The shadow on the wall—Cousin Betty’s ride on Prancer—Training day—Cousin Betty a captain of militia—Cousin Betty’s stories CHAPTER V. HOME AGAIN. Agnes and Mr. Wharton on their way to the Hemlocks—The novel-reading mamma again—Lewie better—Agnes must stay—A lay sermon to Mrs. Elwyn—The needle-case—The bitter disappointment CHAPTER VI. THE TABLEAUX. Lewie roving the woods and fields again—Capricious and fretful still—The birth-day party at Mr. Wharton’s—Preparations for tableaux—Another disappointment for Agnes—The sweetest tableaux of all CHAPTER VII. THE GOVERNESS. The lady who came for wool—The home in New-England—Midnight studies—Miss Edwards engaged as governess—A universal genius—A letter from the long-lost brother—The journey—The old Virginia church—The ghost no ghost at all—The old log-house—Horrible murder!—of _pigs_ CHAPTER VIII. BITTER DISAPPOINTMENTS. No news from Miss Edwards—The letter from the strange physician—The manuscript—The brother found, and where—The engagement—Desertion—The country house—The “crazy room”—The Eastern Asylum—Rest at last in the quiet nook CHAPTER IX. EMILY’S TRIALS. Lewie’s education—Mr. Malcolm tutor at the Hemlocks—Frequent calls at Brook Farm—Emily’s sufferings—The disclosure—Strength for time of trial CHAPTER X. THE TUTOR AND THE PUPIL. Lewie’s insubordination—Passion and tears—The mother’s anxiety—Mr. Malcolm’s firmness—No dinner for Lewie—Sulking—Brought to terms at last—The tutor dismissed CHAPTER XI. RUTH GLENN. Leaving for boarding-school—Mrs. Arlington and her daughters—The third story room—The new strange girl—Nocturnal disturbances—Ruth Glenn’s expostulations—Imminent danger—The physician consulted—Morning walks—Sad partings