Well seasoned he is, of course, and suitable as a prop for a century-plant, but not for a scarlet runner! I like him, you know, but I 'm sure he 'd crack if you leaned on him; in point of fact, he 's a little cracked now! E.N." The ghost of a smile shone on Polly's April face as she folded Edgar's letter and laid it in its envelope; first came a smile, then a tear, then a dimple, then a sob, then a wave of bright color.
"Edgar is growing up so fast," she thought, "I shall soon be afraid to scold him or advise him, and "'What will poor Robin do then, poor thing ?' "Upon my word, if I caught him misbehaving nowadays, I believe I should hesitate to remonstrate with him.

He will soon be capable of remonstrating with me, at this rate.

He is a goose,--oh, there 's no shadow of doubt as to that, but he 's an awfully nice goose." Mrs.Bird's letter ran thus:-- "MY DEAREST POLLYKINS:----We have lived without you just about as long as we can endure it.

The boys have returned to school and college.
Mr.Bird contemplates one more trip to Honolulu, and brother John and I need some one to coddle and worry over.

I have not spoken to you of your future, because I wished to wait until you opened the subject.