prove a credit and support to the declining years of herself and her
husband.

The next morning, directly after breakfast, I announced my intention of
going immediately round to see cousin Serena, and asking her to go with
me to Mrs. Petersen's, to ascertain if there were any hope that she
would take Tony and Matty, now that their father and mother had
apparently deserted them. I would provide for Matty, and cousin Serena
wished to do the same for the boy. I was very eager now to carry out my
plans, believing that the lions in the way were entirely removed, and
that no one could have any further objection to my doing so.

But, to my great disgust, again there were dissenting voices; for
father and mother, aunt Emily, yes, and even impulsive,
push-a-thing-ahead uncle Rutherford, said that it would not do to take
it for granted that the elder Blairs would not return and claim the
children. It was not probable, they agreed, but it was more than
possible; and all my elders were quite positive that the Petersens
would not undertake the care of Tony and Matty until they felt assured
that the parents were not likely to meddle with them, or to make
trouble for those who had them in charge.

"But I want to go and see," I said, determined, if possible, to carry
my point at once, "if the Petersens _will_ do it--and they may. There
is no use in leaving Matty unprovided for. What will she and Tony do if
Mrs. Petersen will not keep them while it is uncertain whether that man
and woman return or not?"

I spoke in rather an aggrieved tone, feeling somewhat inclined to think
my relatives hard-hearted.

"Interview Mrs. Petersen, if you choose, my daughter," said papa; "only
be prepared for disappointment."

"I only want to see Matty provided for, papa," I answered, a little
ashamed of my former pettishness.

"And Matty, and Tony also, shall not be allowed to suffer, Amy," said
uncle Rutherford sympathetically; mindful, perhaps, of his own
propensity for forcing things to a wished-for conclusion at once.

"I'll see cousin Serena, and take her views, anyway," I said, my good
humor restored; and I lost little time in carrying out my purpose.

Miss Craven herself was so eager and earnest when in pursuit of any
plan, especially when it was for the benefit or pleasure of others,
that I built much on her co-operation in the work of persuading the
Petersens to take the cripples under their protection at once; and I
was proportionate