out since the season commenced), told Alice that she must do
all she could to give them a good dinner the next day, as it was to be a
feast.

"Why so, Jacob?"

"If you cannot guess, I won't tell you till the time comes," replied
Jacob.

"Well then, Humphrey must help us," replied Alice, "and we will do what
we can. I will try, now that we have some meat, to make a grand
dinner."

Alice made all the preparations, and had for dinner the next day a piece
of baked venison, a venison stew, a pair of roast chickens, and an
apple-pie--which, for them, was a very grand dinner indeed. And it was
very well-dressed; for Jacob had taught her to cook, and by degrees she
improved upon Jacob's instruction. Humphrey was quite as clever at it
as she was; and little Edith was very useful, as she plucked the fowls,
and watched the things while they were cooking.

"And now I'll tell you," said Jacob, after saying grace, "why I asked
you for a feast this day. It is because exactly on this day twelvemonth
I brought you all to the cottage. Now you know."

"I did not know it certainly, but I daresay you are right," replied
Edward.

"And now, children, tell me," said Jacob, "has not this year passed very
quickly and very happily--quite as quickly and quite as happily as if
you had been staying at Arnwood?"

"Yes, more so," replied Humphrey; "for then very often I did not know
what to do to amuse myself, and since I have been here the days have
always been too short."

"I agree with Humphrey," said Edward.

"And I am sure I do," replied Alice; "I'm always busy, and always happy,
and I'm never scolded about dirtying my clothes or tearing them, as I
used to be."

"And what does little Edith say?"

"I like to help Alice, and I like to play with the kitten," replied
Edith.

"Well, my children," said Jacob, "depend upon it, you are most happy
when your days pass quickest, and that is only the case when you have
plenty to do. Here you are in peace and safety; and may it please God
that you may continue so! We want very few things in this world--that
is, we really want very few things, although we wish and sigh for many.
You have health and spirits, which are the greatest blessings in life.
Who would believe, to look at you all, that you were the same children
that I brought away from Arnwood? You were then very different from
what you are now. You are strong and healthy, rosy and brown, instead
of being fair and delicate.