One evening the little nightcap mother said: "Children, I have had a most charming present. It is a copy of some letters and stories that were written and told to your little friend, Bella Curtis. They are a kind of baby stories, for children like Minnie. Do you think you shall like them? Do you Charley?"

Then the children all shouted out "Certainly! Of course! the baby stories are the best! no, not the best, but just as good as the old stories—yes, mamma, do read them. Letters! why that is something new—how very nice."

"But I don't want to hear A—B—C," cried little Minnie, who was just learning her letters, and thought it very hard work—"I don't like letters a bit."

How the children did laugh when they saw Minnie's long face, and heard her queer speech; but they soon explained to her, that these letters were a new sort of delightful story—upon which she folded her little fat hands and sat down quite comforted, that these letters had nothing to do with her A, B, C.

And Charley said: "I love that dear little Bella, mamma, and I shall be so pleased to hear her letters. I thank her very much for sending them to you."

Then the children seated themselves, and puckered up their mouths—so as to keep all the little laughs in. They couldn't keep their eyes from sparkling; but as that could be done without making a noise—it was rather a help, as it showed how delighted they expected to be—and gave the little mother such a happy look, that they came very near all rushing upon her to kiss her; but they managed to keep still, and the new nightcap letters began as follows:—