anxious my letter should be properly pointed. Look, Catherine, don't you think there should be a comma here, and a semicolon after this word ?"

“Oh, mamma," said Ellinor, who was impatient to get out before the officers should decamp, "what does it signify whether you put a comma or a colon? I assure you it is quite unfashionable and pedantic to point a letter correctly. Ladies never, by any chance, do such a thing. Besides, we are in a great hurry to get out; so I beg you will not detain us any longer; but if you must have stops, can't you wait till we return from our walk ?”

"That will be a great deal too late, as I wish my letter to go by the two-o'clock post. I wonder why you are in such haste. to-day; you do not in general go out so early."

But," replied Ellinor, "we have some shopping before we walk, and Campbell can't get my ruff finished till I bring her the ribbons."

you

"Oh, you are going to Walker's, are ? Then, Catherine, I shall tell you what I wish you to buy for me there; for, as to Ellinor, she regularly forgets all my commissions. But first finish the punctuation."

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Indeed, mamma, we can't wait just now for your commissions, but we will return for them in a few minutes; and as to the punctuation, I would advise you to send the writing in one sheet, and the points in another, and Miss Hume will have them entirely at her own disposal, which will save you a world of trouble."

"How can you talk such nonsense ?" said Lady Lennox, in high indignation that her effusions should be treated so cavalierly; "let your cousin alone till she has finished what she is about."

But Ellinor was too little accustomed to consult the comfort or convenience of others, to attend to her ladyship's order. So in a few moments she was once more tormenting Catherine. "Do be quick. I am sure

you need not be so very particular. Oh, it will do now-come away.”

The great business of the commas and colons being completed, Catherine returned the letter to Lady Lennox, and was following Ellinor, who had already descended the stairs, when her ladyship called her back. “As you are going to Walker's, you may get me four yards of scarlet binding-no, I dare say I shall require four yards and a half, and two pieces of tape."

"Catherine, Catherine," resounded from below," are these horrid points not settled yet ?”

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Coming directly, cousin."

Did you ever know such an impatient girl?" said her ladyship-" so like her father. But where was I? I believe I mentioned the binding and tape. I want also six yards of pale-blue ribbon. Be sure that you get it of a clear shade; I hate your muddy blues. Get a paper of the best pins, and three skeins of black silk thread. I

want some needles, too. Would you advise me to get gold or silver eyes ?"

"Catherine, if you don't come instantly, I shall go without you."

"Is there any particular reason for all this haste?" asked her ladyship.

"Elli

nor did not use to be so fond of shopping; indeed, I think she allows Campbell to purchase too many of her things. It is not right to put temptation in her way; not but that I think Campbell quite as honest as other servants, but the best of them require to be looked after."

"Catherine!" again screamed Ellinor, "will you never have done? you might have pointed ten letters by this time."

"Go to that bawling girl," said her ladyship. "I would rather want my needles, than have such a noise in the house."

Catherine obeyed, and joined her cousin. "I thought," said the latter, "that you never would come,-'tis so teasing in mamma to plague us with her points just now; and I dare say, we shall have no amuse

ment, for I think they have all taken flight."

"You know, Ellinor, I could not come till I had done what my aunt wished. We cannot always please ourselves; think what a world it would be, if we consulted our own comfort only, without attending to the wishes of our friends?"

"Oh, now, no lecture; it is quite enough to be kept waiting an hour, and to be put out of humour, without having a sermon into the bargain."

"But it is your fault, that you allow yourself to be put out of humour, by such a trifle; besides, you exaggerate the time you were kept waiting. I am sure you were not detained above a quarter of an hour."

"Well, well, an hour or a quarter of an hour, it is all the same; I know it was quite long enough. But do not let us quarrel about it."

They proceeded in silence, till they reached the foot of the street. Catherine, who