y, don't jump too quickly at a conclusion. Things
may not be any nearer a settling now than they were forty years ago.
It's all a question of view, and men are terribly set in their ways.
However, to continue: I want to make each of the children a present. I
feel that I'm getting on in life--though I'm not so very old either, but
still no one knows what may happen--and I'd rather do things up before I
die than have it all a-going on after I'm laid away. I never did think
much of wills, anyhow. So I'm going to send 'em each a present from time
to time as I feel inclined."

"Nonsense, Aunt Betsey!" said Mr. Franklin. "You are not going to die
for many a year yet, and you give the children enough. Keep your money."

"Now you needn't say a word, John. My mind's made up, and it takes a
deal to make me change it--it's in the Trinkett blood. And then I like
to get the letters the children write to thank me. I must say I'm
powerful fond of their letters, 'specially Cynthy's. She does write a
beautiful letter. I'll send 'em each in turn, beginning with Edith and
ending up with Willy. Of course they can do what they like with the
money, but it would be my advice to put it in the savings-bank. It's
wonderful how money does roll up in an institution of that kind."

Miss Betsey could not be turned from her purpose, so her nephew was
forced to content himself with begging her, if she sent money through
the mails, to address it carefully.

"One would think, nephew, from the way you talk that I didn't know how
to write," said the old lady, with some asperity.

Jack and Cynthia in the mean time were exploring the farm. It was a
never-failing source of pleasure to them, accustomed to farm life though
they were.

"This is a really true farm," said Cynthia; "not a make-believe, like
ours, with a hired farmer to do it all. And Aunt Betsey's garden is a
thousand times nicer than ours, and her hens are all so big and
strong-looking."

"That's only because you've been looking so much at the 'little
orphans.' By-the-way, I wonder how they're getting on. I do wish I
hadn't had to leave home to-day. I wonder if Neal will attend to things?
Queer kind of a duffer, isn't he, Cynth?"

"Yes: but I like him. He's awfully lazy and all that, but I think I'd
trust him."

"Oh, I'd trust him far enough, except where hard work's concerned. In
that line I think I'd rather trust myself. But I wish it was time to go
home."

"So do I," said Cynthia,