MRS.

BATESON'S TEA-PARTY The best of piggie when he dies Is not "interred with his bones," But, in the form of porcine pies, Blesses a world that heard his cries, Yet heeded not those dying groans.
"Cousin Maria, please may I go to tea at Mrs.Bateson's with Christopher ?" said Elisabeth one day, opening the library door a little, and endeavouring to squeeze her small person through as narrow an aperture as possible, as is the custom with children.

She never called her playmate "Chris" in speaking to Miss Farringdon; for this latter regarded it as actually sinful to address people by any abbreviation of their baptismal names, just as she considered it positively immoral to partake of any nourishment between meals.

"Mrs.Bateson has killed her pig, and there will be pork-pies for tea." Miss Farringdon looked over her spectacles at the restless little figure.

"Yes, my child; I see no reason why you should not.