f thine heart."'

'And I am the only one that has got a command without a promise,' said
Clare reproachfully.

Nannie looked at Clare, then at her big Bible again.

'You have a promise further on, Miss Clare, "Those that wait upon the
Lord, they shalt inherit the earth."'

'Ah, Nannie, that is too big a promise to realize. If it was to
inherit Dane Hall now!'

'My dear, since you were a little wee child, you have always been
looking for something big. You will inherit more from God Almighty, if
you wait for Him, than ever you could inherit without Him!'

There was silence for a few minutes; then Gwen said, trying to speak
lightly, 'We shan't forget your verses, Nannie; and though I'm afraid
none of us will ever grow into such a saint as yourself, it won't be
for want of an example before us. Now may we turn to business? Jacob
has gone, and we must bestir ourselves. I have cut out an
advertisement from the _Morning Post_, which I think sounds tempting.
And as Agatha seems so slow in making up her mind, I think I shall take
the train to-morrow morning and go and inspect the place myself.
Doesn't it sound as if it ought to suit us? "To Let. An old-fashioned
cottage residence, four bedrooms, two attics, three reception-rooms,
well-stocked fruit and vegetable garden. Owner called abroad suddenly;
will let on reasonable terms!"'

'Where is it?' asked Elfie.

'Hampshire. I wrote to the agent who advertises, and he said the rent
would be about 40 pounds. It is close to some pine woods, and only
three miles from a town. It sounds nice, I think; at any rate, it is
worth seeing about.'

'Do you like old-fashioned cottage residences?' said Clare very
dubiously; 'they always remind me of rotten floors, rats and mice, and
damp musty rooms.'

I hate modern villas,' retorted Gwen, 'with gimcrack walls and smoky
chimneys and bad drainage! This has an old-world sound. Let us, if we
live out of town, choose an Arcadia, with nothing to remind us of the
overcrowded suburbs. Are you willing I should go, Agatha, and come
back and report the land?'

Yes,' said Agatha; 'better you should do it than I, for what suits you
will suit me, but what would suit me might not suit you. We will talk
it over when you come back.'

And so it was settled; and after an early breakfast next day, Gwen
started on her quest.

She did not come back till between seven and eight o'clock in the
evening, and seemed so tired that Agatha