r holiday, and they set to work and unpacked all the furniture out
of the lumber room and replaced each article in its proper position. And
the carpenter came and nailed down the carpets and put up the curtains,
and the work proceeded fast and merrily, for they were all expected home
the next evening. So the Toys heard and saw more life around them than
they had done for years, but they were not able to resume their gossips,
for there were people in and out the whole day; and even by night they
were not alone, for the cook slept in the room on a hasty-shake down
bed, so as to be able to get every other room settled. And when the
evening came, the arrival of the family was soon made known by the noisy
bustle of the children and the clatter all over the house. The mice
trembled with fear behind the wainscots, and the crickets shrunk back
into their farthest holes, for they understood well enough that their
reign was over for the present. As for the Toys, they rather rejoiced
than otherwise, for they had been in their time used to human
companionship, and after their lonely captivity, were not sorry to
welcome it once again.

And as for the children, they were boiling over with wild spirits and
merriment at their return to such a pleasant, bright home. They rambled
all over the house, and held solemn councils in each room as to the new
paper and paint, and were altogether thoroughly happy. Their long visit
by the seaside had done them a world of good, for the fresh salt breezes
had seemed to send new strength to every fibre of their bodies and rosy
colour to their cheeks, although the sun had done his part so well, that
they were tanned of a healthy brown as well as red. Indeed, as Frank
said, they had all had a coat of paint too, only that it was of a light
mahogany colour!

When Miss Watson came next morning, she was so hugged, and welcomed, and
talked to eagerly by all three at once, that after enduring it patiently
for a little while, she laughed gaily, and said:--

"My dears, I really must say to you, as the French king did to his
courtiers and the donkey, when they all deafened him with their clamour,
'one at a time, gentlemen, if you please!' for while Celia prattles in
one ear, and Florry gabbles in the other, and while Frank dances before
me and shouts into both, I am quite unable to understand one word from
either. You are not more rejoiced to see me than I am to welcome you all
back, especially my dear Celia,"