ed around it again and again; but I
didn't dream of having it in my room, it was so expensive. It's real
French enamel, you know, and happens to be a craze of fashion at
present. I thought it was ridiculous to buy it, but Leslie insisted
that it was the only thing for my room; and those crazy, extravagant
children went and bought it when I had my head turned."

"You don't say!" said Ellen Robinson, putting a hard, investigating
finger on the foot-board. "Well, it does seem sort of smooth. But I
never thought my cane-seat chairs were much. Guess I'll have to get
'em out and varnish 'em. What's that out there, a porch?"

Julia Cloud led her out to the upper porch with its rush rugs, willow
chairs, and table, and its stone wall crowned with blooming plants and
trailing vines. She showed her the bird's nest in the tree overhead.

"Well," said Ellen half sourly, "I suppose there's no chance of your
getting sick of it all and coming back, and I must say I don't blame
you. It certainly is a contrast from the way you've lived up to now.
But these children will grow up and get married, and then where will
you be? I suppose you have chances here of getting married, haven't
you?"

The color flamed into Julia Cloud's cheeks in good earnest now.

"I'm not looking for such chances, Ellen," she said decidedly. "I
don't intend ever to marry. I'm happier as I am."

"Yes, but after these children are married what'll you do? Who'll
support you?"

"Don't let that worry you, Ellen, There are other children, and I love
to mother them. But as far as support is concerned I'm putting away
money in the bank constantly, more than I ever expected to have all
together in life; and I shall not trouble anybody for support.
However, I hope to be able to work for a good many years yet, and what
I'm doing now I love. Shall we go down-stairs?"

"Have Allison and Leslie got any sweethearts yet?" she asked pryingly
as she followed her sister down the stairs. "I suppose they have by
this time."

"They have a great many young friends, and we have beautiful times
together. But you won't see many of them now. College closed last
week."

For two long days Allison and Leslie devoted themselves religiously to
their relatives, taking them here and there in the car, showing them
over the college and the town, and trying in all the ways they knew to
make them have a good time; but when at last the two days and two
nights were over, and the Robinsons had