has almost promised to spend next Christmas in Paris. It is such
a nuisance to be in one's own place at Christmas; there is such work
distributing blankets and coals and things. If one is away, a check to
the rector settles everything. I assure you the life of a country
gentleman is not all pleasure."

"Then you will let me have the boys?"

"Well, dear, if you really like it, I do not see, when you have such a
fancy, why you should not be indulged."

"Thank you. And I may choose a school for Cis?"

"I am sure the neither Ormonde nor I would interfere; just now it is of
no great importance. But--of course--that is--I should like some
allowance for myself out of their money."

"Of course you should have whatever you are in the habit of receiving."

After this, Mrs. Ormonde was most cordial in her approbation of
everything suggested by her sister-in-law. The friendly conversation was
interrupted by the entrance of Cecil with his satchel over his shoulder.
He went straight to his young aunt and hugged her.

"Well, Cis, I see you don't care for mother now," exclaimed Mrs.
Ormonde, easily moved to jealousy, as she always was.

"Oh yes, I do! only you don't like me to jump on you, and auntie doesn't
mind about her clothes." And he kissed her heartily.

"Do you want to come back to Castleford?"

"What, now? when the holidays begin next week?"--this with a rueful
expression. "Why, we were to have a sailing boat, and old Norris the
sailor and his boy are to come out every evening."

"Then you don't want to come?"

"Oh, mayn't we stay a little longer, mother? It _is_ so nice here!"

"You may stay as long as your aunt cares to keep you, for all I care,"
cried Mrs. Ormonde, somewhat spitefully.

"Oh, thank you, mother dear--thank you!" throwing his arms round her
neck. "I'll be such a good boy when I come back; but it _is_ nice here.
Then you have baby, and he does not worry you as much as we do."
Katherine thought this a very significant reply.

"There! there!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, disengaging herself from the warm
clinging arms. "Go and wash your hands; they are frightfully dirty."

"It's clean dirt, mother. I stopped on the beach to help Tom Damer to
build up a sand fort."

"Why did Miss North let you?"

"Oh, I was by myself! I don't want _any_ one to take care of me," said
Cecil, proudly.

"Good heavens! do you let the child walk about alone?" cried Mrs.
Ormonde, with an air of surprise and indignation.