Her house is very grand, the furniture splendid, the grounds delightful; but after all, I love the green walls of the light airy nursery, and am never so happy as when surrounded by my little charge. When she took me into the room, the children recollected me, and came and kissed me, and said they were glad that I had come. They all began to ask me questions about the country, and about their uncle. It was late in the autumn, but the children did not think of that, and wanted to know whether I had brought them any bright beautiful flowers. I told them the flowers were all gone, but that I had brought them some apples from the trees which were covered with blossoms when they saw them in the spring. The fruit was divided between them, and they were greatly delighted. They praised the apples for their fine red cheeks. The lady bade me take good care of the children which I faithfully promised to do, and she then told me she would ever be a kind and affectionate mother to me. She is very good and kind, but she can never supply your place, dearest mother. Never can I forget your kindness and your care. If I live to be very old, I shall always remember how you went with me all through the rain to the place from which the coach started, how you had carefully prepared a cake and had gathered some of the rosiest apples, but more than all, how you kissed me while the big tears were on my cheeks, and how warmly and lovingly you bade God bless me! Dearest mother, I shall never cease to remember your counsel, and shall always pray, that I may remain— Your dutiful and affectionate daughter, MARGARET KAURNER. [Illustration] [Illustration] LETTER II. MARGARET TO HER MOTHER. DEAREST MOTHER:—It is but a week since I wrote to you, and here I am inscribing another letter. O how thankful ought I to be that I was ever taught to write; it is such a pleasure and comfort to sit down and pen one's thoughts. I feel as if I were chatting with you as I used to do in our pretty little parlor. All is now very quiet in the house, the children are sleeping softly, and nothing can disturb me.