quite all. Maude and Jessie, who have been
brought up at home, have done well, you must admit. But I sometimes
think there is more in Edith--more strength of character and real
patience than we ever gave her credit for. You must excuse my saying so,
but she could never have borne with your sister so long if she had not
made a very great effort."

"And now she is to go back to this tyrant of a maiden aunt," laughed the
doctor. "But by all means let her come home first, as Rachel suggests,
and then we shall see for ourselves, and hear how she likes the prospect
too."

That week or two at home seemed like a delightful dream to Edith. It is
true the fields and woods had lost all their sweet summer beauty; but
the mild late autumn, which lasted far into November that year, had a
charm of its own; and then it was so pleasant to be back again in the
dear old room which she had always shared with Jessie, to have the boys
and Francie laughing and clinging about her, and to find that they had
not forgotten her "one bit," as Johnnie said, and that to have their
dear Edith back was the most charming thing that could possibly have
happened to them.

"You must make much of your sister while she is here," said the doctor.
"It will not be long before you have to say 'Goodbye' again."

"Oh, papa, can't she stay till Christmas?" cried a chorus of voices.

"No, no, children. We must do as Aunt Rachel says, and she wants Edith
back in a fortnight at the outside."

Both father and mother, though they would not repeat Miss Harley's
words, could not help telling their daughter how pleased they were with
her.

"You have been a real help to your father, Edith," said Mrs. Harley.
"Now you have done so well with Aunt Rachel, we may feel that you are
provided for, and I am sure you will be glad to think that your little
brothers and sisters will have many things they must have gone without
if you had had to be considered too."

[Sidenote: A Trying Time]

Edith felt rewarded then for all it had cost her to please her aunt and
work quietly on at Silchester, and she went back to Ivy House with all
her good resolutions strengthened, and her love for the dear ones at
home stronger than ever.

For a while things went on without much change. The wild, country girl
was fast growing into a graceful accomplished young woman, when two
events happened which caused her a great deal of thought and anxiety.

First, Aunt Rachel, who had all her lif