d hollows in her cheeks, there was such an unwonted sparkle in her
eyes as she tried the effect, that she scarcely recognised herself as
the same forlorn-looking creature who had left the house that morning.

"Come, children, I want you." Three ragged, unkempt little ones came
running in.

"Oh, mother, what a nice fire!" "Oh, mother, what a lovely cake!" and
"Oh, mother, how grand you look, and what a clean floor you've made!"
were the exclamations that burst from the astonished trio, as they
entered the room.

"Yes, it's a clean floor, and you must try to keep it so; and if you're
good you'll get some cake when father comes home. Listen, children!
perhaps if you're very quiet and behave yourselves, father'll stay at
home to-night and every night, and then I needn't go out to work any
more, and leave you alone all day long."

"Oh, mother, that would be jolly!" they cried.

Jane had scarcely imagined what a little attention would do for her
neglected children, and she exulted in the thought that their father
would scarcely know them. Baby's turn came last of all; and finally Jane
sat down, with all preparations made, in no little trepidation, to await
her husband's arrival. His heavy step was heard at last, and she rose as
he entered the room, while her children clustered round her.

"Beg pardon, missis," stammered Richard, after a moment's stupified
pause; "I've made a mistake somehow."

"Oh, Richard, Richard, you've made no mistake! This is your home, I am
your wife, and these are your children."

"Jane," he exclaimed, "what's come to you all? who's coming, and what's
this cleaning up for?"

"Richard, my dear, there's no one but you coming, and this cleaning up
is all for you; and if you'll only make up your mind to stay at home
always, you'll never find any worse place to come to; but a great deal
better in time, I promise you faithfully," and Jane sank down in her
chair, unable to stand any longer.

"Well, my girl, I will say as it's the pleasantest sight I've set eyes
on for many a long day. Put the baby down, and let's look at you again.
I declare you look like the Jane I brought home years ago. I thought I'd
lost her for good, I did; but here she is again," and he put his hands
upon her shoulders and kissed her; the first kiss that his lips had left
upon hers for years, and Jane melted into floods of tears.

"Oh, Richard," she said, laying her head upon his breast, "if you'll
only forgive me and love