l not be so good. You shall have that pleasure--as a
reward for running away. Would you like to hear this letter?"

"If you please--" Faith said with a little hesitation.

"You shall read it to yourself if you like better--" but he read it to
her, after all. It was a pretty letter, shewing so well Mr. Linden's
place in the writer's affection that Faith could not but enjoy it.
Neither could she dislike the messages to herself though they did cost
her a few roses. As to the contents of the package the letter gave no
hint.

"What is that the key of, Endy?" she said, glancing up after the letter
was finished.

"I don't know!"--Faith went on with her strawberries.

Through the open hall door came little uneven steps, tracking on
through other open doors even to the dining-room,--there the steps and
Charles twelfth came to a pause.

"Ma said," he began,--then fixed his eyes and mind on Mr. Linden with a
concentration that was marvellous. The general attire and appearance of
the little potentate were as usual, but both hands were in use to
support a heavy mass of red coral, hugged up to his blue apron in the
most affectionate manner. With a sigh of relief Charles twelfth
withdrew his attention from Mr. Linden long enough to set the coral on
the floor, then gazed anew, with his hands behind him.

"Charley!" said Faith laughing,--"what are you doing!--and what have
you done?"

"Ma said--" began the child, stopping short as before.

"Charles twelfth," said Mr. Linden holding out his hand "do you never
use anything but your eyes? Come here and speak to me. Who is prime
minister now?"

"You,"--was the very prompt reply. "Ma said so yesterday."

The laugh in Mr. Linden's eyes as he looked at Faith, was a thing to
see. "Faith," he said, "the conversation is in your hands!"

Faith was in doubtful readiness to speak. "Charley!"--she said as soon
as she could,--"come here. Was that all your ma said?"

"No," said the boy, "she said a heap more."

"Well what did you come here for to-day?"

"I came to fetch that--" said Charles twelfth with another sigh.

"Poor child!--What did you bring it for, Charley?"

"Why for you," said Charley. "Ma said she didn't know when it oughter
come--and she guessed you'd like it, 'cause it used to live off in the
place where you said they eat up babies and people!" and Charles
twelfth's eyes grew large and round with the announcement. "And ma said
she's sorry 'twarnt more. I ain't."

F