NEW FRIENDS.
Oh, world unknown! How charming is thy view,
Thy pleasures many, and each pleasure new.
Oh, world experienced! What of thee is told?
How few thy pleasures, and these few how old!
"AN invitation, Nora," said her aunt, soon after the Christmas holidays had come to a close, "and for you."
"For me, aunt! Oh, who is it from? And may I accept it?"
Her aunt smiled. "One question at a time, dear. The invitation is from Mrs. Forbes, asking you and Eric to spend to-morrow at Craiglora, to meet Clara Ross and her brother from Edinburgh, who, it seems, have been spending the holidays with the Forbeses. I believe Clara is just about a year or so older than you, and Alick nearly as old as Ronald. You know, dear, they are related to you by your father's side."
"And may we go?" repeated the child.
Her aunt hesitated, but replied slowly—
"Yes, I suppose so, dear; that is, if your uncle can conveniently send you to-morrow; you know Craiglora is nearly ten miles off."
But Nora's shout of delight drowned any more words.
"Oh, how delightful! A day at the Forbeses, and two new companions! Eric, Eric! do you hear?"