The Little Nightcap Letters

Then the children seated themselves, and puckered up their mouths--so as to keep all the little laughs in. They couldn't keep their eyes from sparkling; but as that could be done without making a noise--it was rather a help, as it showed how delighted they expected to be--and gave the little mother such a happy look, that they came very near all rushing upon her to kiss her; but they managed to keep still, and the new nightcap letters began as follows:--

THE NIGHTCAP LETTERS,

HOW THEY CAME TO BE WRITTEN.

BELLA'S mother was quite ill; and the doctor said she must go for awhile to the sweet, sunny South--far away from the cold March winds.

Poor little Bella did not want her mother to go. When she heard of it, she began to cry, and climbed up into her mother's lap, and kissing her cheek said: "Stay with Bella, mamma, do please; Bella will take care of you, and make you well."

"But the doctor says I must go, my darling," answered her mother. "If you cry