"Third. Every piece of work once commenced must be perfectly finished before anything else is begun. This rule is invariable. "Fourth. Any young lady must be ready to do her work over again, cheerfully and without complaint, if Miss Jessy or myself thinks it needful. "Fifth. There must be no borrowing from one another without special consent of your teacher for the time being. "These are all the rules I see fit to make, though I shall not hesitate to add others if I see occasion; but I wish to add a word of advice. Remember that in such a work as this, and done, as this ought to be, for the praise and glory of God, there is no place for anything like emulation or vainglory. Let each do the best she can in whatever she undertakes, and remember that the smallest and cheapest offering given in the right spirit is as acceptable as the most elaborate and costly in the eyes of Him for whom this work is, or should be, done." Miss McPherson said these words with great earnestness, and smiled as she saw their effect in the suddenly raised eyes and brightened face of a plain and rather poorly-dressed girl who sat near the desk. "And now the young ladies may take a recess,—" recess she called it, in her Scotch way,—"unless they have any questions to ask." "If you please, Miss McPherson," said Mary Settson, rising— "Well, Mary—take time now and consider your words." "Suppose one of us wishes to make something for the furnishing of the house instead of something for the sale, can we do so?" "Can she do so?" corrected the schoolmistress. "Let your pronouns agree with their antecedents, my love. Yes, certainly, there can be no objection to that." "Do you think it would be better to make fancy articles or useful things?" asked another girl. "I should say a judicious mixture would be best, and in any case it would be well to avoid making your articles too costly. You can settle all these matters in your first meeting, which will take place on Wednesday at the usual time of afternoon school. I must add one thing: If I find these meetings are having an unfavorable effect on your lessons, or tending to produce heart-burning, envy, or unkindness, I shall stop the whole thing at once. You can now take your recess, which will be ten minutes longer than usual." CHAPTER THIRD. AUNT BETSY. THE girls were soon in the spacious play-ground, but to-day neither skipping-rope nor battle-door had attractions for any but the younger children. Every tongue was busy with the new plan, which was talked over in all its bearings. Pincushions and needle work, satin stitch and cross stitch, rug work, cut work, flowers, veils, ruffles, knitting, and netting, all were discussed at once.