For Annie remembered the old times before Joe had first gone into service. He had been the kindest of brothers to his little sister, who was many years younger than he. Many a ride had Annie had on Joe's knee, or upon his shoulder. Many a sugar-plum or cake the generous boy had given to his sister instead of eating it himself. What pains Joe had taken to make for Annie a beautiful boat as a parting present! Annie had thought it then the prettiest boat in the world, and after six years she thought so still. There was the boat now on its shelf, always kept nicely dusted by Annie, and almost as good as new, reminding her every day of Joe. Oh! Young brothers, if you only knew how much power you have by words and deeds of kindness to make your little sisters happy, and win their lifelong love, you would not so often give pain to them when you might so easily give pleasure! Annie had never had from Joe one rough word, far less one thoughtless blow. He would far rather have hurt himself than have hurt his little sister. Annie looked up now at the boat, her brother's keepsake, and could not and would not doubt his love. She was quite able to trust him, and her greatest pain was to see that her grandmother did not. Perhaps my reader is inclined to think that Janet was a cross, ill-tempered old woman, proud of what she had done for others, and expecting others to do a great deal for her in return. And yet Janet was an honest and kind-hearted woman, one who loved her Bible, and never passed a Sunday without going to church. Janet feared God, and tried to obey His commandments, but she had not yet learned to trust His love. Janet let the wicked thought lurk in her heart that if the Lord really cared for her, He would not leave her to be so poor. And if old Janet thus dared to doubt the love of her heavenly Father, who can wonder if she doubted the love of earthly friends! This want of trust made every trial that came to her doubly heavy to Janet; this made her temper cross, and filled her with bitter thoughts. There are many who sin like Janet, without half the excuse which she had for her discontented spirit. Janet had had very great trials to bear. Once she had been well-off; she had lived with her good husband in a pretty thatched cottage, and had been as happy and contented a woman as any in the village. But in one year, poor Janet had lost both her husband and her married daughter,—and with an almost broken heart had received her two grandchildren into her home. Even that home was not to be left to her long.