knew nothing of it
before we were engaged."

"And so am I!" said Sylvia softly.

A week later there was a second conference, at which every member of the
family put in an appearance, and the question of the hour was, "Who
shall have Pixie? Where shall Pixie have her home?"

"I am the head of the family. It is the right thing that she should be
with me. Sylvia and I would both like to have her, so it is unnecessary
to discuss the point any further," said Mr Jack, with an air.

"I don't wish to say anything in the least unkind to Sylvia--you know
that, don't you, dear?" cried Esmeralda the magnificent, sitting amidst
billows of chiffon and lace, and smiling sweetly across the room. "But
the fact remains that I am Pixie's real sister, and she is not; and I
think a sister's claim comes before a brother's. Bridgie will have no
settled home, and I am at Knock. Anyone might see at a glance that her
home ought to be with me, under the circumstances."

"I want Pixie!" said Bridgie softly. "I want Pixie!"

And Pixie sat on the edge of the sofa, and looked from one to the other
with bright, bird-like glances. Everyone wanted her, everyone had an
argument to prove a prior claim; they were all arguing and struggling
for the supreme happiness of welcoming her into their households. It
was the happiest moment of her life.

"It's like Solomon and the babies!" she cried exultantly. "Ye'll have
to cut me in threes, and divide the pieces. Esmeralda shall have my
head, for the times when she loses her own; Sylvia shall have my feet,
because she limps herself; and,"--she looked across the room deep into
Bridgie's eyes--"Bridgie shall have my heart! It would be with her,
anyway, wherever she went."

The tears brimmed over in Bridgie's eyes; Esmeralda frowned quickly,
then glanced at Geoffrey, as he stood by her side, and softened into a
smile.

Jack stifled a sigh, and said gravely--

"Pixie has settled the question for herself. After that confession
there can be no more to say. Take her, Bridgie, but be generous and
spare her to us for part of the year. We all need you, Pixie--wise
little head, willing little feet, loving little heart--every single bit
of you. Come and help us as often as you can."

THE END.

End of Project Gutenberg's More about Pixie, by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORE ABOUT PIXIE ***

***** This file should be named 21122.txt or 21122.zi