d
get through a whole week without the comforts and the peace she was
accustomed to. At the end of ten days she sighed that she could not stay
longer. "If I hadn't invited a friend to pay me a visit," she said,
"I should be very tempted to stay the fortnight. I have enjoyed myself so
much, dear Kitty, and feel better for the change." And both Audrey and
her mother felt very very happy, for they were both of them aware that
granny had not enjoyed her former visit. She had not hesitated to say so.

During the ten days granny, too, had done her share in making happiness.
"Gracious me, child," she cried, when she saw the carpetless floor in the
drawing-room, "I did not know that it was as bad as this. I have so much
furniture at home I can scarcely move for it, and two carpets sewn up with
camphor, to keep the moths and mice away, I will send them both as soon as
I get back, and--a few other things that may be useful."

She hesitated for a moment, then, with her old severe manner, "I don't
want to be prying, Audrey, as you know, but how are you off for china--odd
plates for the kitchen, and cups and saucers and things."

"Not very well, granny. We aren't well off in any kind of china. If the
children had been at home we should not have had enough of anything to go
round," she added, with a rueful little laugh. And though granny looked
shocked for a moment, and felt so, she was obliged to laugh too.

"Oh!" she said. "Well, I will pop in some useful odds and ends, so that
when I come again on purpose to see the children, we shall have a plate
each, and not have to share a cup."

But, though they little thought it then, poor Granny Carlyle was never to
come again. And none of those she loved best could feel thankful enough
that they had had that pleasant time which had brought them all closer
together than they had ever been before, and had left not only one happy
lifelong memory, but many.

CHAPTER XV.

"I think I would like to go for a walk, daddy, if you are going home, and
will see that mother is all right."

"Yes, I will take care of mother. Are you very tired, dear? I am afraid
you must be, you have worked very hard looking after us all so well."

Audrey smiled up at her father, but it was rather a wistful smile.
"No, I am not exactly tired, but I feel as if I wanted a walk."

"I expect you do, you have been shut up in the house so much.
Well, I will hurry home now; and you will be back in ti