aid Christie. "She's a dear baby, I
am sure." But Letty had no more to say.

"Tell us about Rover," said Tom.

"Oh, yes! I must tell you about Rover. `Once upon a time--'" And then
came the story. Never did dog meet with such wonderful adventures
before, and never was a story listened to with greater delight. Even
Letty forgot her vexation, and listened eagerly. In the midst of it
Nelly entered, carrying little Harry in her arms. At the sight of him
every trace of ill-humour vanished from Letty's face. Running to meet
them she clasped her arms round her little brother.

"Where are his shoes, Nelly?" she said, stooping to kiss his rosy little
feet.

"What a sweet child!" exclaimed Christie. "I hope he won't be afraid of
me."

He _was_ very lovely, with his flushed cheeks and tangled curls, and not
in the least afraid of anything in the world. He looked out of his
bright blue eyes as frankly and fearlessly at Christie as if she had
been his nurse all his life. She placed him on her knee while Letty
tied his shoes.

"Are you to be nurse?" asked her fellow-servant Nelly.

"I don't know. I would like the place," said Christie.

"You'll have your hands full," said Nelly, emphatically. Christie had
nothing to say to this; and the boys became clamorous for the rest of
the story.

In the meantime, the October sunshine, though it was neither very warm
nor very bright, had dried up the rain-drops on the paved court behind
the house, and Mrs Greenly, showing her face for a moment at the
dining-room door, told Christie she might wrap the children up and take
them out for a little time. With Nelly's help, the wrapping up was soon
accomplished. The yard was not a very pleasant place. It was
surrounded by a high wall, and at the foot of the enclosure was a little
strip which had been cultivated. There were a few pale pansies and
blackened dahlia-stalks lingering yet. In two corners stood a ragged
and dusty fir-tree; and all the rest of the yard was laid over with
boards.

"The children are not to sit down, for they would take cold," called out
Mrs Greenly from an upper window. In a little while Christie had them
all engaged in a merry game, and greatly were they delighted with it.
Some tokens of disorder and riot were given by Tom and Letty; but on the
whole the peace was kept. Their enjoyment was complete, and it was a
merry and hungry group that obeyed Nelly's summons to the tea-table.

Christie's