round which a slip
was folded with the words, "I forward enclosed, as agreed.--Ned Jowett."
And the second envelope was addressed to "Mr. James" in a round,
childish hand, that Geoff knew well. It was Vicky's.

He darted out of the kitchen, and into his own little room. He could not
have read the letter before any one. Already the tears were welling up
into his eyes. And long before he had finished reading they were running
down his face and dropping on to the paper. This was what Vicky said,
and the date was nearly six weeks old!

"MY DARLING GEOFF,

"Why haven't you written to us? I wrote you a letter the minute I
got your little note with the address, and I have written to you
again since then. Great-Uncle Hoot-Toot says you are sure to get
this letter. I think you can't have got the others. But still you
might have written. I have been so _very_ unhappy about you. Of
course I was glad to hear you were getting on well, but still I
have been VERY unhappy. Mamma got better very slowly. I don't
think she would have got better if she hadn't heard that you were
getting on well, though. She has been very unhappy, too, and so
have Elsa and Frances, but poor Vicky most of all. We do so want
you at home again. Geoff, I can't tell you how good old Uncle
Hoot-Toot is. There is something about money I can't explain, but
if you understood it all, you would see we should not be proud
about his helping us, for he has done more for us always than we
knew; even mamma didn't. Oh, Geoff, darling, do come home. We do
all love you so, and mamma and Elsa were only troubled because you
didn't seem happy, and you didn't believe that they loved you. I
think it would be all different now if you came home again, and we
do so want you. I keep your room so nice. I dust it myself every
day. Mamma makes me have tea in the drawing-room now, and then I
have a little pudding from their dinner, because, you see, one
can't eat so much at ladies' afternoon tea. But I was too
miserable at tea alone in the school-room. I have wrapped up our
teapot, after Harvey had made it very bright, and I won't ever
make tea out of it till you come home. Oh, Geoffy, darling, do
come home!

"Your loving, unhappy little
"VICKY."

The tears came faster and faster--so fast that it was with difficulty
Geoff could see to read the last few lines. He hid his