I always _was_ a remarkable child; so old for my age, and such a sensitive nature!--Mamma often says so. And I'm the sweetest, little dear in my blue ribbons, and quite a picture in my Pompadour hat!--Mrs. Brown told her so on Sunday, and that's how I know. And I'm a sacred responsibility to my parents--(it was what the clergyman's wife at the seaside said), And a solemn charge, and a fair white page, and a tender bud, and a spotless nature of wax to be moulded;--but the rest of it has gone out of my head. There was a lot more, and she left two books as well, and I think she called me a Privilege, and Mamma said "Yes," and began to cry. And Nurse came in with luncheon on a tray, and put away the books, and said she was as weak as a kitten, and worried to fiddlestrings, as any one with common sense could see with half an eye. I was hopping round the room, but I stopped and said, "My kitten's not weak, and I don't believe anybody could see with only half an eye. Could they, Mamma?" And Nurse said, "Go and play, my dear, and let your Mamma rest;" but Mamma said, "No, my love, stay where you are. Dear Nurse, lift me up, and put a pillow to my back, I know you mean to be kind; But she does ask such remarkable questions, and while I've strength to speak, don't let me check the inquiring mind. If I should fail to be all a mother ought--oh, how my head throbs when the dear child jumps!" and then Nurse said, "Ugh! When you're worried into your grave, she'll have no mother at all, and'll have to tumble up as other folks do. There's the poor master at his wits' end--a child's not all a grown person has to think of--and Miss Jane would do well enough if she'd less of her own way; But there's more children spoilt with care than the want of it, and more mothers murdered than there's folks hanged for, and that's what I say. Children learns what you teach 'em, and Miss Jane's old enough to have learned to wait upon you: And if her mother thought less of her and she thought more of her mother, it would be better for her too." But Nurse is a nasty cross old thing--I hate her; and I hate the doctor, for he wanted me to be left behind When Mamma went to the sea for her health; but I begged and begged till she promised I should go, for Mamma is always kind. And she bought me a new wooden spade and a basket, and a red and green ship with three masts, and a one-and-sixpenny telescope to look at the sea; But when I got on to the sands, I thought I'd rather be on the esplanade, for there was a little girl there who was