ul, peaceful home. You must say 'good-bye' to all
your pets, for soon, very soon, we must leave them all. You must be
good children and not fret; but oh! it is very sad. Father is obliged
to go and live in London."
How strange! A ray of sunshine seemed to have passed round the table,
changing apprehension into eager excitement. Phyllis clapped her
hands. "London, mamma? Oh, how lovely!"
Their mother sighed, and said, "Well, darlings, I am glad you take it
so well; but I am afraid it will be a long time before you feel as
happy as we are in this dear old home."
At last came the morning when they were to start. They were wild with
delight, and thought it splendid fun at first. But when the train
with a shrill scream flew into a dark tunnel, several hearts beat
very wildly, and several little faces would have looked white enough,
could they have been seen.
At last several heads began to ache, and a good many legs seemed to
want stretching; but the several hearts could not for worlds have
owned that they were not enjoying themselves immensely.
And when the enchanted city was reached, it was dark, and they saw
nothing but a confused medley of lights and figures, and walls with
big letters all over them.
Then they were jolted through some noisy, busy street, and were at
length deposited safely in the house where they were to lodge until
their new home was ready.
There was so much noise outside while they were at tea, that Phyllis
and Effie wondered what could be the matter, until they saw that
their father and mother did not seem to be in the least alarmed at
it.
When they went to bed, it was a long time before they could go to
sleep. But being very tired, they did manage it, though they dreamed
very queer things about a great many people, and horses and carts
tumbling on the top of each other, with a noise like thunder.
The next morning, when they were having breakfast in a dark little
parlour, their father said to their mother, "You and I must go and
look about to day;" and to Donald he said, "You may take your two
sisters for a walk on the Embankment, and show them the river, and
the Temple, and Cleopatra's Needle, but be very careful of crossings,
and ask a policeman when you don't know the way. Phyllis and Effie
must stay at home, and amuse themselves with their dollies till our
return."
At this Phyllis felt greatly injured, but she said nothing, for she
knew she must obey.
Their mother went an
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