Now I will not say that when the sisters were alone together, and looked at their handsome Bibles, a thought of the work-box and the writing-desk never crossed their minds; but it is certain that there was not a word said upon the subject, and each seemed to be greatly pleased with her present, admiring the rich purple binding, and opening the book with care, to look at the name which had been nicely written by their aunt on one of the blank leaves at the beginning.  In Louisa’s Bible, just under her name, was the text, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law,” Psa. cxix, 18; and in Emma’s, in the same place, was written, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”  Prov. viii, 17.

CHAPTER III.

USE OF THE KEEPSAKES.

The next day was a sorrowful one, both to the friends who went away, and to those who were left behind.  The children could talk of little else than their uncle and aunt Harding.  They asked their mother many questions about the journey they had begun, and the country to which they were going.  When Louisa and Emma saw that their mamma was very sad, and not so ready as usual to join in their talk, they did not tease her, as some thoughtless children would have done, but each chose for herself a pleasant and quiet employment.  Louisa began to arrange the furniture in her baby-house, and Emma brought a piece of brown silk from her drawer of treasures, and set about making a cover for her new Bible.

“Why, Emma, what are you about?” cried Louisa, after watching her sister for a moment; “surely you are not going to use that beautiful book?”

“Yes, I am,” said Emma, quietly; “I mean to read a little in it every day.  Ah!  I see that you think it will soon be torn and soiled; but I assure you I intend to be very careful; and look, what a nice cover this will make!”

“I am afraid,” said Louisa, laughing, “you will never be careful as long as you live.  To think of so soon beginning to use that handsome book!  I have made up my mind to read a chapter every day, but not out of my new Bible.  I think the old one, that lies in the school-room, will do just as well.”

“So it would,” returned Emma; “and I thought of that myself last night, when aunt Harding told us how much she wished us to be good, and to love the Scriptures:  but then the school-room Bible is not always in its place, and that might sometimes hinder me from reading at all.  Now I shall keep this book in my little drawer in our room, where I can find it in a minute.”

“You must please yourself, I suppose,” said Louisa; “but I will ask mamma whether it is better to use aunt Harding’s Bible or the old one.”