ittle maiden; I like you. Will you all
come and cheer up a lonely old man for a week?"

"I shall be delighted indeed, Mr. Murray; and I can answer for each one
of the children, if the boys can only get so long a holiday. It's such a
very, very long time since I've really been in the country."

"Then promise to meet me at twelve o'clock at Paddington Station on
Christmas Eve: promise me, Mrs. Clair; I'll make it all right for the
boys. Just say you will come. I wanted to ask you all last Christmas;
I'm glad I did not now."

"I will come with pleasure and gratitude," Mrs. Clair replied, "if you
can make it right for the boys."

"I'll see to that. Remember, twelve o'clock on Christmas Eve--twelve
sharp, Paddington!" and then Mr. Murray vanished, his face puckered up
out of all recognition.

The probation of Eddie and Bertie Rivers had lasted a whole year, and
Mr. Murray was more than satisfied with them. He meant to keep their
destination a little secret, and so fairly ran away before Mrs. Clair
could ask any questions.

It wanted just two weeks to Christmas when Mr. Murray gave his
instructions, and during most of the waking hours of that time the
children spoke of little else. Bertie endeavoured to explain and
describe the grandeur and magnificence of Mr. Murray's town house, and
of course his country mansion would be still more splendid.

"I hope there will be plenty of frost," he said, with a very grave
glance at the sky, just as if the state of the sky in London ever could
be an index to what the weather might be anywhere else, "for there's
sure to be a pond, or mere, or something to skate on."

Eddie sighed as he thought of the beautiful lake at Riversdale, and then
said he hoped Mr. Murray might have some ponies, as he was longing for a
good canter.

Agnes wanted some pretty places to sketch, and Aunt Amy declared she
would give anything to see a good farm and poultry-yard again, just as
they had at home.

"You may be sure Mr. Murray will have everything," Bertie said,
confidently; "and a Christmas-tree too, with lots of presents: he always
did give us splendid things," remembering the steam-engine. "Oh! I say,
auntie, we're bound to have a glorious time;" and Bertie tossed his hat
in the air, and skilfully caught it coming down--a habit of his when
unusually excited.

At the appointed time Mrs. Clair and the children arrived at Paddington
Station, and there they found Mr. Murray pacing up and down, "j