"Oh, how beautiful! How did you ever do it, Roland? They look like the most lovely flowers. Stop, Roland! I'll get our microscope," and away she flew. "Look! Roland, look! I never saw anything so sweet. It is the most charming present I ever had in all my life." "I have some shells too, Madeline, but they are not very rare; but such as I could gather I have brought. I am so glad that you are pleased." "I have nothing that I shall think so much of as these. Your dear, kind mother, with all her cares, could remember little Mad-cap; and, Roland, it was so sweet to bring me just what I admire so much. I shall keep them all the days of my life, to remember Roland and his mother." It was really an exquisite little book, arranged with the most delicate taste, and when Aunt Matilda was called in to see the gift, she was quite struck with the evidences of refinement visible in every page of these beautiful sea-weeds. "I have something else, Madeline," and Roland brought out a tasty little moss basket, the gift of dear Effie. That evening found Madeline running down to the widow's cottage to thank her for the gift. "Thank you, dear, darling Mrs. Bruce, for your beautiful present," exclaimed the impulsive child, throwing her arms around her, and showering kisses upon her pale face. "I shall keep it as long as I live, for I have nothing that I shall value like these beautiful weeds." "I am glad that you are pleased, Madeline; it made us so happy to arrange them for you." "How could you find time to think of little Mad-cap, with all your cares and troubles, dear Mrs. Bruce?" "How could you, Miss Madeline, surrounded by all the elegance of Woodcliff, find time to think of us in our humble cottage?" CHAPTER VII. THE COTTAGE AND THE HALL. There are sorer battles than those waged on the field of strife, where the old and the new man contend in a human heart; and such had Roland fought on the morning of this day. He thought that he had conquered, and with a brave spirit and cheerful countenance, he started for Woodcliff with the bundle of work which his mother had completed. When he came in sight of the Hall his courage began to fail, for on the porch were several of Madeline's young acquaintances. Roland recognized Mary James, Minnie Scott, and Ella Taylor, all schoolmates, but who had little to do with the Bruces. "What ails me?" said Roland to himself; "is it possible that I am so wanting in manliness, as to fear the ridicule of those silly girls? Down at once with the feeling; poverty is nothing to be ashamed of;" and Roland hastened on with a firm step and head erect. "You seem to have a heavy load, Roland," said Mary James; "have you garden truck in your basket?" "No, Miss; I do not carry my vegetables around, we sell them in market." "Perhaps you are coming for old clothes, Roland; you look as if you wanted some," remarked Minnie Scott. "If you'll come round to our house, we can give you some," sneered Mary James.