Malcolm, as you are here, I want to show you what I have chosen for Anna to-morrow," and she handed him a small case.

It contained one of those minute toy watches, set very prettily with brilliants.
Malcolm lifted his eyelids in some surprise.

"It is a perfect beauty," he observed; "but you must have paid a goodish bit for it." "It was certainly rather extravagant of me," returned Mrs.Herrick apologetically; "but you know how girls love pretty things.

Anna did so long for one of these little watches, and you know it is her one-and-twentieth birthday.

By the bye, Malcolm, what have you two arranged for to-morrow ?" But when her son briefly sketched out Anna's modest programme, Mrs.Herrick's pleasant face clouded a little.
"What a singular choice the child has made!" she observed.