And he gave it the best of his care; it was watered in dry weather, the earth about its roots was kept loose, and enriched with careful manuring; no grass or weeds were allowed to cling about it, never was an apple-tree better tended." Marie paused.

"It is not always those that get the most care that do the best in this world," she said, with a sigh.

"There was my Louis, our eldest, I thought nothing of the others compared with him! and he ran away to sea and nearly broke my heart." "Did he ever come back again ?" asked the children.

Old Marie shook her head.
"Never," she said.

"But I got a letter that he had got the cure somewhere in the Amerique du sud--I know not where, I have not learnt all about the geography like these little young ladies--to write for him, before he died of the yellow fever.