said Miss Watson, as she affectionately
drew Celia close to her and kissed her, "for I see I have been a true
prophet, and that you have found the roses I promised you. So I think,
as this morning evidently is not likely to be spent in lessons, I must
take you one at a time and hear all you have to tell me, only remember,
gentlemen, it must be one at a time!"

They all laughed heartily, and promised to comply with her desire, and
so, as Frank said he could not keep his word if he stayed there, for he
should be sure to begin telling her some of his adventures, he went off
to the garden to see how that was getting on, and whether the scarlet
runners in his little plot bid fair to give him one dish of beans that
year. Florry was so eager to talk to Miss Watson, and so full of
chatter, that by common consent she was banished to the nursery, where
she made a descent upon the open toy cupboard, and routed them all about
till they hardly knew what had come upon them. Meanwhile Miss Watson and
Celia had a very pleasant chat upon all that had happened during the
holidays. And presently Mrs. Spenser came in, and greeted Miss Watson
heartily.

"It does seem so good to be at home again," she said. "We have enjoyed
our trip immensely, and the young folks have benefited by it so much
that I quite rejoice in it. Don't you think Celia is looking blooming
again, Miss Watson. You were quite right in your predictions; the nice
rambles and drives on the beach, and a fair amount of sea bathing, have
indeed brought back her rosy cheeks. And Frank is all the better for it
too, so I think the change will quite set him up before he goes to
Westminster. And I don't know whether they told you that dear Harry came
to us from Winchester, and was with us the whole time, which was a great
treat, especially to me; and, dear boy, he enjoyed it so much. He is
grown such a fine fellow, Miss Watson, you would hardly know your old
pupil, and he is now gone to spend the rest of his vacation with his
uncle Henry, in the Isle of Man."

"I am sure it has done you all good," replied Miss Watson, "but I must
confess, my dear Mrs. Spenser, the change for the better in yourself
seems to me the best of all. You were looking so worn and thin when I
last saw you, that I observed to my sister I thought _you_ were the
person who needed change most!"

"I believe I did," answered Mrs. Spenser, smiling; "I had been feeling
far from strong for a long while, so that th