ork-bags, and stood talking to Aunt Zelie, who
followed them.

"Dear, dear, how those children are growing! It seems only yesterday
that they broke my window and came to confess."

As she watched them Miss Brown thought, as she had so often before,
what a happy home that was, and how much of its brightness found its
way over to her!

"Come for us early this afternoon, Carl, for we want to go out to
Uncle William's," said Bess to her brother, who had joined them and
was carefully marking his aunt's height on the wall.

"You are not expecting me to grow any more, I suppose," said that
lady, laughing.

"I simply wish to prove to you that I am two inches taller, so you
can't lord it over me any longer, madam."

"I was under the impression that the lording came from quite a
different quarter."

"That is a base slander; you know I am your humble slave, so take it
back," and Carl gave her a hug that compelled her to cry for mercy.

"If you must embrace me, let it not be in public; what will the
neighbors think?" she said, as he released her.

"They may think that I am very fond of you, and where is the harm?"
following her into the hall and closing the door.

Over at Miss Brown's a few minutes later five work-bags were being
opened, their owners all talking at once as they took out their
thimbles and needles.

Though nearly two years and a half had passed since the day when the
M.Ks. took their first lesson in knitting, the club still flourished,
and after a month's holiday they were eager to begin the meetings
again.

"We did hardly any work while you were gone, we were so afraid of
making some mistake," said Louise, bringing her chair to Miss Brown's
side.

"Uncle William's dreams ought to be sweet when he takes his nap under
this; I believe Dora's stripe is the prettiest of all," and Bess held
up her friend's work admiringly.

"Dora's stripes are always prettiest," said Elsie; "I wish I could do
half so well."

"Aren't they absurd, Miss Brown, when it is only because daisies look
particularly well on tan color?" said Dora, laughing.

"I think the skilful fingers have something to do with it, but I am
proud of all the work."

"We have improved a little since we made the afghan for Aunt Sallie,
haven't we?" remarked Constance.

"You have, indeed, but you were such dear little girls then, and now
you are growing distressingly tall; I do not half like it." Miss Brown
shook her head disapprovingly as sh