“It is so good of the Institute people to let me stay away awhile,” said Lucy. “How could I have gone there to-morrow with nobody at home to do anything for us? Now I shall be free to do my own work till I can get some arrangement made.” She did not speak of relief from labour because of the aching yearning of her heart. That would not have kept her from work. She would have asked, “Why should it?” If Charlie were really gone, then her toil was more needed than ever, and if she stopped it to mourn for him, when would she begin again, for when would she cease to mourn? When would she be able to draw a line and say, “Henceforth I can endure”? No, her endurance must begin at once. She did not feel this in herself as strength, she thought rather this was a weakness that dared not pause lest it should never be able to recommence! “We will go on together, my dear,” Miss Latimer assured her. “We women, who have known the great common bond of working for our bread, will surely stand by each other.” “I wish Charlie was here to thank you,” she answered. Her face was calm and her voice was sweet, but no tears nor lamentations could have conveyed such an impression of agony. “I know now how the martyrs smiled on the rack,” said Tom, as he walked home with Mr. Somerset. “I never thought that I should wish to see a woman cry,” answered that gentleman, “but I am sure that tears would be a blessing to Mrs. Challoner now.” (_To be continued._) [Illustration] USEFUL CANTATAS AND OPERETTAS FOR GIRLS. Once upon a time, at the midnight hour, it is supposed that the denizens of the doll’s house, including the lady doll, “Lady Angelina de Montmorency,” the gentleman doll, “Lord Jennings,” the Vivandière, little Bo-peep, the wooden Soldier, and Mr. Noah, all woke up and aired their experiences and grievances in song and speeches of a merry character, which were at once taken down by Mr. W. Yardley and Mr. Cotsford Dick, and transmitted to posterity under the title of “Our Toys” (J. Williams), libretto, 6d., and vocal score, 1s. 6d. This is really a very amusing “fairy vision in one peep,” and likely to suit any brothers home from school as well as big and little sisters. Here is a specimen of its wit, treating of the wooden Soldier— “His wooden stand which bore him well Was broken in a fight, And so he like a soldier fell, As he couldn’t stand upright. They laid the vet’ran on the shelf, Secure from further knocks, And he’s got his company all to himself, For he is the last of the box.” The dressing of the characters of this airy little piece might be very bright and effective, and not difficult to manage at all.