[Ill.u.s.tration: VERY HAPPY.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

WAYSIDE FLOWERS.

It is a pity there is not more interest taken in wayside and field flowers, some of which are so very beautiful.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE CONFECTIONER'S.

This is the shop of Mr. Sweet, the pastrycook. The children have just bought some sweets, and his lad is taking out a large cake on a tray.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

OUT IN THE GARDEN.

It is half-holiday to-day, but it is too warm to run about the fields. So Susan and Emma are sitting in the wheelbarrow, at the kitchen door, and enjoying themselves as much as if they were sitting in a fine arbour. They have got puss with them, who seems to like it as much as they do. When the sun sets they will water their flowers, for they have got a nice flower-bed of their own, and some of the flowers are just beginning to blossom.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

BEING WASHED.

Baby brother is being washed this morning. He does not sit so quiet as he ought to do, and so his sister has, quite by accident, put the sponge in his eye. No wonder he should be making a wry face over it, and crying. If he had been still this would probably not have happened, as his sister is very careful not to hurt him. I hope the next time he is washed he will try to keep himself quiet.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

ONLY A TOADSTOOL.

The children are out early this morning in the wood, to gather mushrooms, and have brought a basket to put them in. They have just found something among the roots of this old tree, which they thought at first was a mushroom, but I fear it is only a toadstool, it looks so very strange.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

WATCHING THE MOON.

It is time to put baby to bed, but her sister is showing her the moon, shining out so brightly to-night in the deep blue sky. Baby is looking up at it, and is perhaps wondering what it is up there in the sky, so bright and round. It will shine into her little bed-room nearly all the night long.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

FIRST STEPS.

Baby is learning to walk, and is stepping out boldly. Puss looks on quietly, but Tiny is barking with joy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DUCKLINGS.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

SUSAN'S SHOP.

Susan is playing at shop, and has placed herself behind a large chair, and is looking out for customers. She has dressed baby up in cook's great bonnet and jacket, and she is supposed to be the customer. And Susan is asking her what she will buy, as her scales are all ready to weigh up anything she wants. Baby is asking her if she sells barley-sugar, as, if she does, she would like to have some.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

IN THE NURSERY.

The two little sisters are having fine fun in the nursery this morning.

Baby dolly is to have a bath presently. The other dolls have at last got dressed in their new clothes, that have been so long making, and they are being jumped about and walked along as if they were really alive. The children are so fond of their dolls, they seem never tired of playing with them.