"What have you in that basket, child?"
"Blackberries, Miss, all pick'd to-day;
They're very large and fully ripe;
Do look at them, and taste them pray."

"O yes: they're very nice, indeed.
Here's fourpence—that will buy a few:
Not quite so many as I want—
However, I must make it do."

"Nay, Miss, but you must take the whole;"
"I can't, indeed, my money's spent;
I should he glad to buy them all,
But I have not another cent."

"And if you had a thousand, Miss,
I'd not accept of one from you.
Pray take them, they are all your own.
And take the little basket, too.

"Have you forgot the little girl
You last year gave a bonnet to?
Perhaps you have—but ever will
That little girl remember you.

"And ever since, I've been to church,
For much do I delight to go;
And there I learn that works of love
Are what all children ought to do.

"So then I thought within myself,
That pretty basket, Billy wove,
I'll fill with fruit for tha dear Miss,
For sure 'twill be a work of love.

"And so one morning up I rose,
While yet the fields were wet with dew,

And pick'd the nicest I could find,
And brought them, fresh and sweet, for you.

"I know the gift is small indeed,
For such a lady to receive;
But still I hope you'll not refuse
All that poor Phebe has to give."

[Illustration]

[Illustration: Good Children learning their Hymn.]