if she might call her
step-mother "mamma," she was surprised and touched by the expression
that came into Mrs. Franklin's face.

"Oh, thank you, Cynthia!" she said. "I thought I would not ask you, I
would just leave it to you, but I should like it so much."

And so they all called her by her new title except Edith.

Preparations for the tennis tournament were in full swing, and Cynthia
and Jack, who were to play together in mixed doubles, were practising
hard.

The court at Oakleigh was not a good one, so they were in the habit of
going to the tennis club at the village when they could get there in the
afternoon. It was not always easy, for they were short of horses, and it
was too far to walk both ways.

"Why do we not have some more horses?" said Mrs. Franklin one morning
when the question was being discussed.

"Why, we can't afford to," replied Cynthia, in some surprise. "Besides
the farm horses we only have two, you know, and they get all used up
going to and from the village so much."

Mrs. Franklin glanced at her husband. Then she said, "It seems as if we
ought to have more. You know, John, there is all that money of mine. Why
not buy a horse and trap for the children to use?"

"My dear Hester, I can never consent. You know I wish you to keep all
your money for your own exclusive use. You may have all the horses you
want for yourself, but--

"John, don't be absurd. What can I do with all that money, and no one
but Neal to provide for? Your children are mine now, and I wish them to
have a horse of their own."

The thing of all others for which Edith had been longing for years. But
she determined that she would never use her step-mother's gift.

"Is Neal your brother?" asked Cynthia.

"Yes. Haven't I told you about him? He is my dear and only brother. He
is off on a yacht now, but he is coming here soon. He is older than you
and Jack, just about Edith's age."

Jack looked up with interest.

"I'm glad there's another fellow coming," he said. "There are almost too
many girls around here."

"Jack, how hateful of you, when you always have said I was as good as
another fellow!" exclaimed Cynthia.

"Well, so you are, almost; but I'm glad he's coming, anyway."

The new horse was bought, and a pretty and comfortable cart for them to
use, a "surrey" that would hold two or four, as occasion required. At
first Edith would not use it. She jogged about with the old horse and
buggy when she went to the vill