He said--"Letters, miss." It was the second post, and there was a letter for me, and a book parcel; both from Mother.
Mother's letters are always delightful; and, like things she says, they often seem to come in answer to something you have been thinking about, and which you would never imagine she could know, unless she was a witch.

This was _the knowing bit_ in that letter:--"_Your dear father's note this morning did me more good than bottles of tonic.

It is due to you, my trust-worthy little daughter, to tell you of the bit that pleased me most.

He says_--'_The children seem to me to be behaving unusually well, and I must say, I believe the credit belongs to Mary.

She seems to have a genius for keeping them amused, which luckily means keeping them out of mischief_.' _Now, good Little Mother, I wonder how you yourself are being entertained?
I hope the others are not presuming on your unselfishness?
Anyhow, I send you a book for your own amusement when they leave you a bit of peace and quiet.