2

"Mama," said Henry, "I have a favour to ask of you, tho' I am almost
afraid, as I know how precious your flowers are to you & that you do not
like many gathered-but Mama, if you knew all"- & he stopped-
"Go on my dear," said his mother, I know of nothing I can refuse you just
now."

"Well then Mama," the girls at our school bade me ask you, if some
of them might come tomorrow & gather flowers here, & Mama
Maria, is to be the queen of May, & you know how good anna
Maria is-She is the sweetest & best girl {in,at?} the school," continued
he, turning to d'Abgine, "Once when I had fallen down & hurt myself
very much, all the boys laughed at me because I cried; & that made
me cry more, & they made game of me; then Maria, came &
took me with her, & washed the blood from off my face, & tore a
piece off her apron to bind round my fore-head & wiped it
with her handkerchief.- So, should I not give her some flowers Uncle?"
"Certainly my boy", said d'Aubgne, "& with your Mama's permission, I
will help to gather them."

"Take all you want Henry," said his mother, & as no garden roses
are yet blown, you may gather some from the green-house plants,
to make Maria's crown."

"Thank you, thank you dear Mother," said the delighted boy,
clasping her round the neck. "Maria, will be the only one with
roses!"-

"And Mama, I want you to do something for me," said
Mora.

"Well, my dear?
"I want you to get up early & go a Maying, & gather may-dew
to wash my face & hands, for Betty says it will make them white
as snow."

"A powerful inducement indeed, " said her mother smiling, "but
I wish the dew tonight would do as well, for to get up at sun-
rise, will be almost impossible."-

"But Mama, night-dew will do no good, it must be May-
-morning-dew- & perhaps Mama it will make me as fair as you!"-