Oh, how glad and thankful I am that she has been spared to us!" "I, too," said Evelyn.

"I think I could hardly love her better if she were really my very near relative." A moment of silence followed, presently broken by Rosie.

"Well, I suppose," she said with a return to her jesting tone, "it may be our wisest plan to consult his lordship--Captain Raymond--in regard to the matter just now under discussion--whether we--his prospective pupils--may or may not engage in the work of preparing Christmas gifts for other folk." "I, at least, certainly intend doing so," replied Evelyn.

"Obedience to his wishes--to say nothing of orders--it strikes me will be the very least we can do in return for his great kindness in taking the trouble to instruct us." "There, you are right!" said Rosie.

"I hadn't thought of that before.