A taffy-pull after dinner and then a jolly hour of coasting on the hill field before supper were on our programme.

But disappointment was our portion.

We did manage to get the taffy made but before we could sample the result satisfactorily, and just as the girls were finishing with the washing of the dishes, Felicity glanced out of the window and exclaimed in tones of dismay, "Oh, dear me, here's Great-aunt Eliza coming up the lane! Now, isn't that too mean ?" We all looked out to see a tall, gray-haired lady approaching the house, looking about her with the slightly puzzled air of a stranger.

We had been expecting Great-aunt Eliza's advent for some weeks, for she was visiting relatives in Markdale.

We knew she was liable to pounce down on us any time, being one of those delightful folk who like to "surprise" people, but we had never thought of her coming that particular day.