her points,
however, it was less successful. Mr. Holiday did not improve in health,
and he did not have a good time. Mrs. Holiday was anxious about her
husband's health, and she was uneasy too at being separated so long from
her other two children,--Rollo and little Jane, especially little
Jane,--whom she had learned to love as if she were really her daughter.
So, before the year was ended, they both heartily wished themselves back
in America again.

But now Mr. Holiday's health grew worse, and he seemed too ill to
return. This was in the month of May. It was decided by the physician,
that it would not be best for him to attempt to return until September,
and perhaps not until the following spring. Mrs. Holiday was herself
very much disappointed at this result. She, however, submitted to it
very cheerfully. "I must be as good as Thanny," said she. "He submits
patiently to his disappointments, and why should not I submit to mine.
His are as great, I suppose, for him to bear as mine are for me."

When Mrs. Holiday found that she could not go to her children, she began
to be very desirous that her children should come to her. She was at
first almost afraid to propose such a thing to her husband, as she did
not see how any possible plan could be formed for bringing Rollo and
Jane across the wide and boisterous Atlantic alone. She, however, at
length one day asked Mr. Holiday whether it would not be possible in
some way to accomplish it.

Mr. Holiday seemed half surprised and half pleased when he heard this
proposal. At first he did not appear to know exactly what to say, or
even to think. He sat looking into the fire, which was blazing in the
grate before him, lost apparently in a sort of pleasing abstraction.
There was a faint smile upon his countenance, but he did not speak a
word.

"That is an idea!" he said, at length, in a tone of satisfaction. "That
is really an idea!"

Mrs. Holiday did not speak. She awaited in silence, and with no little
anxiety, the result of her husband's meditations.

"That is really quite an idea!" he said at length. "Let us get Rollo and
Jane here, and then we shall feel entirely easy, and can return to
America whenever we get ready, be it sooner or later. We shall be at
home at once where we are."

"I suppose it will cost something to have them come over," said Mrs.
Holiday. She was not so anxious to have the children come as to desire
that the question should be decided without havin