rms behind it, 'I
could go to sleep in five minutes if I chose; there is not a creature
moving for miles round us, I expect.'

'I love the stillness,' said Clare. 'Every one in the country has time
to rest. How different it is in London!'

'I think we're all living very lazy lives,' said Elfie, as she picked a
climbing rose beside her and placed it in her belt; 'I feel as if every
day here is one long holiday!'

'Well, we are not at school,' returned Clare; 'and I beg to state I
have not been idle to-day. Attending to the flowers in the house every
morning is no joke! I was nearly two hours over them; then I wrote
letters and took them to the post before luncheon, and I have been
mending a dress, and tidying my cupboards since.'

Gwen laughed a little derisively. 'You will never die of hard work,
Clare.'

'I think it is harder work doing what I have done, than sitting still
in the same chair from ten o'clock to one, and simply reading and
writing!'

'Ted was asking for directions in the garden,' said Agatha, looking up;
'but when I peeped inside the study, Gwen, and saw you had one of your
writing crazes on, I knew it was no good coming to you.'

'No, he has plenty of work, and I shall be occupied in the morning for
some time now.'

'Why have you taken such a fit of it?' asked Clare. 'You're writing as
if for your life.'

'I want money,' was the brief reply.

'What for?'

'That I shall not tell you at present. I want it so much, that I am
even condescending to write silly stories, which I despise myself for
doing.'

'Oh! that will be delightful,' exclaimed Elfie. 'Couldn't you read us
one now, to pass the time?'

'I will read you a kind of conundrum I have dashed off this morning to
amuse some sentimental goose like Clare!'

'Thank you,' said Clare imperturbably; and when Gwen sauntered into the
house to get her manuscript, she said, 'Gwen is preparing some surprise
for her family. You mark my words; before long she will unfold a
startling plan of action!'

Gwen reappeared very soon, and settling herself in her easy chair,
began to read in a lazy and slightly mocking tone as follows:--

'The princess walks in her garden alone. Her face is sad, and her
steps are slow. She reaches a low moss-covered wall, and leaning upon
it gazes dreamily and wistfully upon the busy crowded city below.
Sounds of toil and labour meet her ears. The busy multitudes are all
engaged in the various occupati