"Because he was the very best and tip-top of all that was good."

"Tom, why was he like a _cow_?"

"Because he did not know how to run."

"Ellen, why was he like an _umbrella_?"

"Because he sheltered many."

"Gertrude, how did he resemble the _Alps_?"

"He towered aloft majestically above his fellow-men."

"Harry, how did you make him out like a _laugh_?"

"Oh, he was such a merry old soul."

"Then, how does Anna make him resemble a _tear_?"

"He was so sympathetic with the woes of others."

"Aunt Lucy, how was he like a _fire_?"

"He was warm-hearted, and the centre of attraction to so many."

"And, Louis, how do you make him like a _flower_?"

"His presidential career was bright, and short-lived, like a flower."

"Charlie, why was he like a _vine_?"

"That's plain enough--his motto was _'A little more grape_.'"

Amy went round collecting resemblances for her thought, and then said that she had the watch-dog, Trusty, in her mind.

"Why is Trusty like _paper_?"

"Because he's white."

"Then, why is he like _ink_?"

"Because he's so useful."

"Why is he like a _table_?"

"Because he's a quadruped."

"Why is he like _Aunt Lucy_?"

"He is so good and faithful."

"Why is he like a _bed_?"

"His steadiness at his post enables us to enjoy undisturbed sleep."

"How does he resemble a _carpet_?"

"He generally lies on the floor, but is sometimes brushed off."

"How is he like a _lion_?"

"He is very fond of meat."

"How does he resemble _Cousin Mary_?"

"He has a collar round his neck."

"How is he like a _tree_?"

"He is so very full of bark."

Gertrude then proposed trying another game she had seen played, which was called "Questions." She said it was generally done by using playing-cards, but as she knew Uncle and Aunt had an objection to having them in the house, she had prepared a set of blank cards for the purpose. There were duplicates of every one, and she had numbered them, 1, 2, 3, etc., in large characters: one set was placed in the centre of the table, around which they drew up, and the duplicates were shuffled and dealt to each in turn. When they were all supplied, one would draw a card from the table, asking some personal question; and all looking at their cards, the one who had the duplicate must throw it upon the table, and say, "It is I." It was found that the sillier and more impertinent the question, the more laughter it caused.

"Who comes down last to breakfast?" said Tom, drawing from the pack one marked 8.

"I do," replied Aunt Lucy, throwing down her corresponding 8.

"Who is the prettiest person present?" said Aunt Lucy, drawing out a 3.

"I am," said George, with a grin--being quite reconciled to the fact that he was decidedly the ugliest one of the party; at the same time mating his 3 with its companion on the table.

"Who loves mince-pie the best?" said Amy

"I do," replied Ellen, with a laugh.

"Which of us is the old maid of the company?" said Cornelia.

"It is I," cried Tom, in a tone of triumph.

"Which of us has a hole in her stocking?" said Alice.

"Oh, it is I myself."

And so it went on until the pack was exhausted, when all agreed that it was time for the daily story, which they seemed to think as much a matter of course as the supper. Aunt Lucy said that she would gladly tell them a short one, which should be called

The Orphan's Tale, or the Vicissitudes of Fortune.