to me
just as if there was a family in there, living inside."

"Like what?"

"O, you know there are four parts playing at once, and it seems as if it
was a man and his wife, and two children, all singing together!"

"I'm glad we brought so many flowers from aunt Eastman's," said Susy,
brightening; "now we'll trim all the rooms."

"That is right," said Mrs. Parlin. "This is the first night in the new
house: let us make it as cheerful as we can for dear papa. Susy, you may
as well practise that new tune he likes so well."

"O, mamma," said Prudy, "I'll tell you what I'll do! I'll make some
vinegar candy!--if you'll boil it, you know, and pull it."

"A very brilliant idea, my daughter. Your part will be the looking on, I
suppose."

"And what'll _I_ do?" queried Dotty, twisting the inevitable lock of
front hair; "if papa would only give me some money, I'd go and buy him a
present."

"The wisest thing you can do just now, dear, is to wash that berry-stain
off your lips; then you may bring me a fresh ruffle to baste in the neck
of this dress."

Dotty obeyed at once. She was always glad to wear that white delaine
with the scarlet spots.

The whole family were so very busy during the afternoon, that they
forgot to feel any regrets for the old home. The furniture had been
brought and arranged some time before, and the most Mrs. Parlin expected
to do to-day was to make the house as pleasant as possible. Susy was
allowed to attend to the flowers; the three others looked on, and
watched Mrs. Parlin, while she made vinegar candy, filled some tarts
with jelly, and helped Norah set the supper-table.

"How nice!" said Prudy, rubbing her hands. "Sometimes I don't much care
if our house was burnt up."

"Nor I either," said Dotty. "This house has got a good deal the best
places to hide in."

Mrs. Parlin smiled, in her sweet, contented way. She was thinking how
many blessings we can all find in our lot if we only look for them. Not
that she would ever have known about the "nice places to hide in" if the
children had not mentioned them.

"Dotty," said she, "you may run up and ask grandmother if she will dare
drink any coffee to-night."

Prudy and Dotty tripped up the broad staircase, which wound about so
much that Prudy said it twisted her like a string. Katie ran after them,
catching her breath.

There sat the dear grandmamma, knitting some winter stockings for Prudy.
There were no curtains at the windows, and the Au