"As to happiness being found in a country cottage," said her mother, "if we do not make happiness in our everyday life for each other, by being loving and unselfish, we should not get it, though we might live in the most beautiful scenery in the world!"
Vera put her hand in her mother's. "I'll try," she said, impulsively; and her mother, with a bright smile, added some lines of George Herbert's, she often repeated to herself:
"Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days;
But such a heart—whose pulse should be
Thy praise!"
[CHAPTER XVI.]
A SEARCH FOR VIOLETS.
"WHERE have you been all the afternoon, Aunt Ruth?" asked Oswald, as they assembled after school hours. "We could not find you!"
"Ah, I have a trophy to show you, though!" said Aunt Ruth. "Just look!"
"Well, if I didn't think I smelled violets," exclaimed Rose; "and I could not believe it! Where—if it is not a secret, Auntie?"
"No secret at all. You see, I lived here years ago, and I know where to look."
The four gathered round her little vase, and took turns in smelling, till Jean said there would be no scent left.