, but don't, Joyce,
tell quite all you know till I get back. Come, Sleepyhead! Papa'll tell
about the little red hen"--aside to Joyce--"It's my stock yarn. Couldn't
tell another to save my head, and studied that out, word for word, on
purpose. But luckily she wants it every time. I should be bankrupt if
she didn't. Come now, say good-night to all like a lady, Toddlekins."

"Oh, don't bother her, Larry. Joyce can take the ceremony for granted,"
put in the affectionate aunt, who could not bear that any should tease
baby except herself.

"Yes, there's my kiss," throwing it, "and don't get her roused up,
Larry. I've things to discuss."

"All right. We go, but I return. _Au revoir._ And talk woman's
foolishness till I get back--do! I want to be here when you get off the
latest fallals."

But she began tamely enough.

"I saw something in the paper the other day that I want to ask about. Is
it your house here that is advertised for sale?"

Madame Bonnivel nodded, and Dorette answered,

"Yes, isn't it too bad? The owner has died and the estate is to be
turned into money wherever possible. We can stay until it is sold, or
can leave by giving a fortnight's notice at any time, if we prefer."

"And then where will you go?"

"Oh, we haven't planned that far," said Camille. "I say, let it be in
the suburbs. I hate to think of an apartment, again."

"But, my dear, there are far pleasanter ones than we used to know," put
in her mother gently. "I do regret leaving here, though. It will be
difficult to find another place, within our means, where we will find so
much room out-doors and in. Poor Dodo will miss the grassy yard."

"And Dodo's grandmother, too," added Camille. "You ought to see how
chummy they are, Joyce, out under our one maple."

Joyce was looking at that spiritual woman with an expression that
arrested the girl's thought and words. It was the look of one who longs,
hopes, yet fears, and mingled withal was that adoring fondness she often
showed this mother of her heart.

"I see, ma mere. You cannot go into an apartment. It would mean
imprisonment for you. And so--and so--oh! I don't know just how to get
it out, but--I have had two of the houses at Littleton especially fitted
up, and they are close together in what will soon be a great lawn. They
are very much alike, but altogether different--that is, they are just
different enough not to be tiresomely similar and--where was I?"

All broke into laughter. Joy