that he would kick. Somehow she did not feel
equal to the struggle.

"Tell me a story," was his next demand. "About somebody being put in
the pit. Sunday school teacher told it. Why, I'd climb out."

So she told him the story and then another, rocking slowly, and as the
demand ceased she knew he was asleep. But she did not dare try to get
him to bed. So she went to her own thoughts, the last week passed with
the fairy godmother and Dr. Richards.

It was ten when the family returned.

"Oh, Marilla, how _could_ you let him go to sleep! He's so cross when
you wake him up."

"I couldn't get him to go----"

"Jack!" His father picked him up and carried him to the sleeping
room.

"Now you run to bed," said the mistress, still sharply.

It was very well, Marilla thought, that Jack had a companion who was
not fond of "kids." Stevie lived quite a distance below and had
brought no end of playthings, had an auto wagon that two could sit in,
though only one could be chauffeur. So Marilla had the babies out on
the side lawn all the morning in the shade, and after their nap took
them out in the carriage. They were quite fond of walking, too. They
really were rather amiable again.

"Miss Florence, could I have some paper and a pencil?" she asked
during their noontide nap. "I promised to write to Dr. Richards and
tell him if I kept well."

"Why not to Miss Armitage?" was the inquiry.

"She was going to Canada, and--I'm quite well again, and the babies
are so much better. He will be glad to hear, for he felt very sorry
about them, and he said I must write."

"I suppose Miss Armitage's house is very grand, much finer than
ours?"

"It's beautiful and she has such a lovely organ. Well, it's different
and there are two big parlors and some curious things that I never saw
before and chairs in beautiful light blue, all flowered, and some tall
vases and marble statues. And there's Jane and Norah--and the wash
goes out. Yes, I suppose she's rich."

"And you'd like to live there?"

"Perhaps she wouldn't want me," the child said simply.

Evidently there had been no talk about it.

Miss Borden gave her pencil and paper.

Marilla went to the kitchen nursery, sat down on a stool and put her
paper on the bottom of the wooden chair. She began--"Dear Dr.
Richards." Oh, there was so much to say! She was well and the babies
were improved and could talk a good deal and looked better for not
being so fat. She really liked home bette