o much for the rest of us,
and now mother isn't so strong and the expenses go on the same with
these youngsters; we know you were figuring on it, but we beat you.
Put yours in the bank, and try the feel of a surplus once more.
Haven't had much lately, have you, father?"

"Well, not to speak of," said father.

"Now let's shut everything up, ring the bell to call them, and get
Shelley in here and surprise her."

"She's not very well," said father. "Mother thinks she worked too
hard."

"She's all right now, father," I said. "She is getting pink again and
rounder, and this will fix her grand."

Wouldn't it though! There wasn't one anywhere, short of the city.
Even the Princess had none. Father hunted up a song book, opened it
and set it on the rack. Then all of us went out.

"We'll write to the boys, mother and I, and Shelley also," said father.
"I can't express myself just now. This is a fine thing for all of you
to do."

Frank seemed to think so too, and looked rather puffed up, until Leon
began telling about his horse. When Frank found out that Laddie, who
had not yet branched out for himself, had given Leon much more than any
one of them had Shelley, he looked a little disappointed. He explained
how the piano cost eight hundred dollars, but by paying cash all at
once, the man took seven hundred and fifty, so it only cost them one
hundred and fifty a piece, and none of them felt it at all.

"Sometimes the clouds loom up pretty black, and mother and I scarcely
know how to go on, save for the help of the Lord, but we certainly are
blest with good children, children we can be proud of. Your mother
will like that instrument as well as Shelley, son," said father.

Frank went out and rang the bell, tolled it, and made a big noise like
he always did when he came unexpectedly, and then sat on the back fence
until he saw them coming, and went to meet them. He walked between
mother and Shelley, with an arm around each one. If he thought Shelley
looked badly, he didn't mention it. What he did say was that he was
starved, and to fly around and get supper. I thought I'd burst. They
began to cook, and the boys went to feed and see Leon's horse, and then
we had supper. I just sat and stared at Frank and grinned. I couldn't
eat.

"Do finish your supper," said mother. "I never saw anything take your
appetite like seeing your brother. You'll be wanting a piece before
bedtime."

I didn't say a word, because