They had had a splendid tea in the nursery, and had fully appreciated the good fare which their little hostess had pressed upon them. They were all very gentle to Winifred, and seemed to wish to sit by her and talk to her, and the little girl had been pleased to think that her brothers’ friends liked her. Every one had enjoyed the tea very much, and although Charley had looked a little grave, as he had done for three days past, he did not seem unhappy; and he made so much of his little sister, that she could not wish him other than he was. The boys had gone away to romp in the play-room now, and Winifred was left alone in the nursery with Violet for her companion. She was rather tired with her exertions on behalf of her guests, and was glad to curl herself up in a comfortable corner of the old sofa, and rest herself after her labours. “It was a nice tea-party,” said Violet, coming and sitting beside her friend; “I don’t think I ever was at a nicer one; I do so like boys!” and the little girl sighed and wished she had some brothers. “They were nice boys,” said Winifred smiling. “I am glad I know them now.” “Didn’t you know them before?” “No, hardly at all.” “How funny! If I had brothers I should always want to know all their friends.” Violet was a merry little maiden, not at all given to grave moods, or over-much meditation. Her parents were poor, and she had never had many toys or books, or even as many friends as she would have liked. There were very few people living near, and there was no carriage to take her to other people’s houses; so the little girl had been dependent upon her own happy temper and limited resources for most of the enjoyment of life. Such a tea-party as the one in which she had just been joining was an immense treat to her. She could not understand how it was that Winifred had not cared before to cultivate the acquaintance of such nice boys. “I’m afraid it was because I was selfish,” said Winifred gravely. “You selfish!” cried Violet, opening her eyes wide; “Oh, Winnie, I’m sure you’re not.” “I’m afraid I have been, Vi; I wish I hadn’t; but I don’t think I knew it before. I didn’t see things that I see now.” “Why do you see them now?” asked Violet with interest; but Winifred did not answer just at once, and the child, too excited to sit down, strayed to the window and looked out. “What a lot of swallows!” “Yes. They are beginning to gather. Don’t you know that they will go soon?” “Go!” “Yes, they fly away, you know, to other countries, and come back again in the spring.” “Do they? How clever of them! How do they know when to go, and where to go?” “I don’t exactly know. I think it must be God who teaches them.” “God! But God can’t care about the swallows!” “I think God cares about everything,” said Winifred dreamily. “If he didn’t take care of the swallows, how could they find their way?” “But swallows are such little things; I don’t see how God can care for them.”