look far forward," was mamma's answer.

But I did look forward by and by. When dear Rosalinda was safely tucked
up in her cradle, and Bobbie and I had "time to think," as we said, then
we talked it all over. And very wonderful plans we made. Such numbers of
injunctions did I lay upon Bobbie, as to the care of the dolls while I
was away, that the poor little fellow said with a sigh, "Yes, I'll try
and 'member, Sissy!"

So I consoled him by the thought of all the presents grandmamma would
send him when I came back. In fact, I was to bring something for
everybody, so I thought. Two dear little rabbits for Bobbie, perhaps a
new black silk gown for nurse, a beautiful sash for the baby, and so on,
and so on.

[Illustration: SO NICE!]

The next afternoon Bobbie and I had our last feast. Do _you_ often have
feasts? I don't mean cake and fruit, and good things at the
dinner-table. Oh no, I mean a real tiny feast all to yourselves, with
the nursery-chair unscrewed to make table and chair, with square paper
plates twisted at the corners, paper dishes with sugar on one, currants
on another, rice or raisins on another, and little doll's-house cups
for the make-believe wine and the real milk. Ah, that nice sugared milk
taken in little sips out of the oldest nursery-spoons! How well I can
fancy myself now, giving Bobbie his spoonful, while pussy looked
enviously up at us? Then it was that the bright thought struck me that I
would bring home some real Beecham kittens to puss, that would do quite
well in the place of those dear little lost ones, that James had taken
away and forgotten ever to bring back? Well, you know, all the
preparations were made, my pretty new frock tried on, all my kisses
given, and all sorts of messages sent home from the station, and in the
highest of spirits my first start in life was accomplished. What my
feelings were when the day came to an end, you know, so I need not tell
you.

V.

_LITTLE COUSINS._

So now you know who I was, where I came from, and all about me. Let me,
then, go on telling you about this remarkable visit to grandmamma. You
have heard all about those first quiet days, when I was all alone, the
only little thing in all the place. It was very different afterwards, I
can tell you.

You know Jane had told me all that was going to happen. Indeed, she
talked always very fast, and didn't mind filling my little head with her
opinions of my betters which was certainly a mistake.