l when I
said, "No, thank you, I'd rather stay at home."

* * * * *

And now, little readers, I meant to have tumbled you off my knee, and
sent you up to bed, for I fancy my story has not kept you from getting
sleepy. But there is nursie making signs to me, as much as to say, "Go
on talking; amuse the little ones a bit longer, please, for the bath
isn't ready and the water isn't hot, and I can't have them yet."

What shall I tell you about? Oh, I know! that second visit of mine to
Beecham. It was only a very short one, so five minutes' talk will tell
you all about it.

I was a great tall girl then, and I had just left school, when
grandmamma's letter came, asking Bobby and me to come and spend a few
days at the Park with Lottie, and Harry, and Alick. I couldn't say, "No,
thank you," if I had wished to, for it was likely to be the last time
we five should meet for a long time. Harry, now a young lieutenant with
brass buttons and fair moustache, was bound on a long voyage, which
would have some fighting at the end; and Lottie was to be married in a
fortnight, and to go off to Australia; and Alick, too, was just starting
on a tour with his tutor, after which he was to go to a great college in
Germany. But there was another reason for our visit which I did not know
till I got there, though, I fancy, mamma did. Grandmamma met us with a
very tearful welcome, and it was natural for us all to feel sad as we
looked at her, so aged since we saw her last, and in her deep, deep
mourning. We couldn't help thinking of the blue sea far away, with the
soft spicy wind blowing from the beautiful coral islands over the quiet
waves, which had so cruelly sucked in dear Uncle Hugh's brave ship and
all on board. But the pleasure of meeting soon put away all sad
thoughts, and I think even grandmamma looked bright and contented as she
listened to our merry talk.

It was in the middle of the long summer days, and we rambled about
through the gardens, and orchards, and shrubberies where we had played
as little children, and laughed over the remembrance of our childish
tricks and troubles. Then there was that long talk with grandmamma, and
afterwards with Bobby, in her room. When Lottie and I found ourselves
alone together just at bed-time, how much we had to say! It seemed to me
a little difficult to talk over all her affairs, though when, after some
time, she called upon me to admire my two tall cousins, I was