Little Miles was accustomed to repeat his prayer after Virginie, and did not know it by heart; and he was in great perplexity till Humphrey had finished, not knowing whether it would be best to remain kneeling or not. In about five minutes Humphrey jumped up and put on his hat. Miles rose too, and confided his troubles. Humphrey instantly gave the subject his earnest attention. "It would never do for you to say my prayer after me," he said, reflectively; "you're too young." "Too young," repeated Miles, meekly. "And I've forgotten my baby prayer, _of course_," continued Humphrey; "it's so very very long since I used to say it---- I'll tell you what, Miles, you might say your grace!" "My grace?" said Miles, rather scared; "why, that isn't prayers, is it, Humphie?" "Oh, yes, it is," answered Humphrey; "in your little book of 'Prayers for Children,' your grace has got at the top of it, 'A prayer after meat.' Meat, you know, means breakfast, dinner, and tea; even if you only have bread and butter, or sop." "_Does_ it?" exclaimed Miles. "I thought meat was only beef and mutton--hardly chicken!" "Ah! but it does, though," said Humphrey, in a superior tone; "you don't know, Miles. There's lots of things you don't know yet. Why you thought grace wasn't prayers, and yet it is. Now say this after me: 'For what I have received, may the Lord make me truly thankful.'" "Why! that's _your_ grace, Humphie, not _mine_! Mine is only, 'Thank God for my good breakfast.'" "That will do," said Humphrey. "But, Humphie! I've not _had_ my breakfast! How can I say it?" "To be sure," said Humphrey, reflectively, "that makes it very awkward. You've not even had a bit of bread. If you'd only had a biscuit, it would have done--it's very unlucky." He remained for some minutes in an attitude of deep thought. "I know!" he exclaimed suddenly; "I always say a grace _before_ my meals, and of course you'll have some breakfast presently, so you can say my grace after me. It's very difficult for you, of course; but still, if I say it very slowly, you can manage to do it. Now listen very attentively: 'For what I am going to receive, may the Lord make me truly thankful.'" Miles knelt down and repeated the little prayer, and then the two little brothers sat down on the grass, and counted their mushrooms, to see how' many there would be for the wild men apiece. Meanwhile Virginie, awakened by the rush of cold air caused by the open door, sat up in bed and looked about her.