other five.

"And, Jinny, I do think the old doll would make a beautiful maid for the
others; she really couldn't look vulgar in a neat print frock and white
apron."

Ginevra brightens up at this.

"All the same," she said, "I wish now we had waited a little and
believed that Auntie would come as soon as she could. I see that it
would have been better. And oh, I do so hope she won't be vexed."

She was not vexed; only very, _very_ sorry. More deeply sorry than the
princesses themselves could understand.

"I had no idea of it all," said poor Auntie. "Yet I could not have come
to you sooner, my darlings. Still--if I had known---- But it is all over
now, and you are going to be as happy as ever your Auntie can make you."

"And it's _almost_ the same as having a mamma, isn't it?" said Baby,
satisfied that in this possession she had an undoubted share.

The mug was reclaimed. And the dealer, who had paid far too little for
it, was well frightened by no less a person than Uncle himself.

Poor Red-Head never knew how he had failed. But Auntie, who got to know
his father and mother, was able, without hurting his feelings, to make
him understand that little boys do well to keep out of such transactions
even when inspired by the kindest of motives.

BASIL'S VIOLIN

"THANK you so much for telling me about it. I am pleased, for it is just
what I wanted to hear of."

"And I am so glad for Herr Wildermann's sake. It rarely happens in this
world that one hears of a want and a supply at the same time;" and the
speaker, laughing as she said the last words, shook hands once again
with her hostess and left her.

Lady Iltyd went to the window,--a low one, leading on to the garden, and
looked out. Then she opened it and called out clearly, though not very
loudly--

"Basil, Basi--i--il, are you there, my boy?"

"Yes, mother; I'm coming." And from among the bushes, at a very short
distance, there emerged a rather comical little figure. A boy of eight
or nine, with a bright rosy face and short dark hair. Over his sailor
suit he had a brown holland blouse, which once, doubtless, had been
clean, but was certainly so no longer. It stuck out rather bunchily
behind, owing to the large collar and handkerchief worn beneath, and as
the child was of a sturdy make to begin with, and was extra flushed with
his exertions, it was no wonder that his mother stopped in what she was
going to say to laugh heartily at her little boy.