eyes. But where was he?

"There was nobody there but their mamma, and a very quiet-looking
gentleman in a plain black coat, and a pair of spectacles, set on the
very end of his nose, who appeared to be showing her some curious coins.

[Illustration: ROBINSON CRUSOE.]

"The children stood perfectly still for a moment. They seemed to be
struck dumb. Then Loulou exclaimed:

"'Why, _mamma_, we have come down on purpose to see ROBINSON CRUSOE!!
all dressed in fur, with his monkeys and parrots, and Man Friday. Where
_is_ he, mamma? where _has_ he gone?' and they looked again in every
corner of the room.

"How her mamma did laugh! and how Mr. Robinson did laugh! when they
found that the children thought that Robinson Crusoe had come to see
them; but Loulou and the rest of the dear little children were
dreadfully disappointed. Wasn't that a pity?

"And now I have a great secret to tell you; I am so much better, and I
want to see you s--o much, that I mean to return home in the steamship
which leaves on Saturday. This is Thursday--you will get this long
letter next Monday--and on Tuesday have ready at least a hundred kisses,
and fifty squeezes for your loving

"MAMMA."

THE RETURN.

"OH!" screamed Bella, joyfully, "mamma coming home? Oh! oh! oh!" and she
commenced to dance about the room, and laugh, and sing so many little
songs, that Edith thought there must be a musical snuff-box inside of
her; particularly as she stopped to give two funny little sneezes, and
then went on again. She could hardly sit still a moment all the rest of
the day; and she begged to be put to bed earlier than usual, so that the
"next day might come faster."

Sure enough! the next day a carriage drove up to the door. It was
raining, and Bella had to stay in the room for fear she would take
cold. She fastened her face to the window, and trembling with eagerness,
saw the coachman open the door. A _gentleman_ got out--Bella's face
looked as if somebody had thrown a pail of cold water in it--but, the
next moment, the gentleman handed out her mamma, her very own mamma! and
then in an ecstasy of delight, the little girl rushed to the door, and
then it was worth more than all Barnum's Museum to see the meeting. I
believe I can't tell it--I cannot write it well enough; but all you dear
little children know how glad you are to see your kind mothers after
they have been away from you; and