"Bees have a 'sweet, sweet home,' I think," said Susy. "So do ants when they get in the sugar-box," rejoined Prudy. As night approached, Dotty showed symptoms of croup. "I think," said her grandmother, "it will be the safest way to give her some castor-oil and molasses; that is what her father used to take when he was a little boy." Dotty pouted. "Dirty, slippy castor-oil," she cried, shaking her elbows--a thing she seldom did now. "I shan't let it go in my throat. I'll bite my teeth togedder tight." "Alice," said her grandmother, "is that the proper way to speak to me?" The child's face cleared in a moment. "I wasn't a-speakin' to you, grandma," said she, sweetly; "I was a talkin' to the dust-pan." "O, Dotty Parlin!" cried Prudy, much distressed. "Nobody ever talked to the dust-pan, in all the days of their lives! I always thought you were a good girl, Dotty, but now I am afraid you tell false fibs!" Dotty clung about Prudy like a sweet pea, and peeped into her eyes with a pleading look. "Say, do you love me, Prudy? For I'm goin' to let the oil slip right down my throat, just as my papa did when _he_ was a little boy." After swallowing the oil and molasses, Dotty grew very affectionate, and kissed everybody twice, all around. Then she said her prayers, and went to bed. "Mamma," said she, "now smoove me up under my chin, please." She loved to have the sheet laid straight. "Do you s'pose God will take care o' me to-night, mamma?" "Certainly, my darling; you may be very sure He will. Your heavenly Father never sleeps. He watches over you always." "Now, truly, does he?" said the child, pressing her flushed cheek against the pillow. "Does he see me in my chubby bed, when the moon's all dark? "O, my suz!" cried she, suddenly, raising her head; "God can take care o' me most always, you know, but I'm drefful afraid something will catch me while he's 'tending to _another_ man!" Mrs. Parlin explained to her little daughter, as well as she could, the omnipresence and infinite goodness of God; and while she was still talking, in low, soothing tones, the little one fell asleep. But about midnight there was a sudden alarm. Lights glanced here and there over the house, and Susy and Prudy were wakened from a deep sleep by the sound of voices. Dotty had a violent attack of croup. "Put me out doors," gasped the poor little sufferer, when she could speak at all. "I can't breave if the window's _ever_ so up. Get me nearer to the moon. Then I can breave!" "It's so dreadful!" sobbed Susy. "I feel real sure she's going to die this time." "O, no, I don't think she will," said Prudy, shaking the tears off her eyelashes. "God took care of me when I had the lameness, and He'll take care of her. He loves her as much as he loves me."