Letty and the Twins

forward to their return in the morning with much impatience. Jane and Christopher had wanted her to go

ce of the circus in the evening, and Mr. Drake's second reason was that Letty might not get back in time for it if she went out to Sunnycrest. Jane was disappointed, for she had not known about the second performance, and wa

s guardian of the fat Drake baby, "but after all what good will it do me? They will be here with me for a little while and then will go away again, and I shall probably n

ack of kindness, for Mrs. Drake in her quiet, dull way, had been as kind as possible. And d

The winter after her mother's death

ept her Sunday attendance at church, where the soft music and wonderful stained glass windows never failed to soothe and comfort her. These stained glass windows represented the only paintings she ha

rsion; and she loved her work with the ponies. But long before the summer was over sh

aching desire for her mercifully had lessened. But the restless, moving life of the circus grew more and more di

n in New Jersey, but her family were too poor to take in and care for another child. The rich Miss Reese who, together with her little cousin, Clara Markham, had been so

ake friends among the other scholars. Another baby came to Mrs. Drake, which proved a source of much comfort to Letty. He was a big, jolly, lusty baby-the same she had been holding in her

re in his business and the circus was broken up. What was to become of her? Small

were all gay excitement

s," Jane confided to Christopher, "and I'm so glad, b

drive," adde

ndfather had about decided to buy one or two of Mr. Drake's horses for work on the farm. But Mr. Baker was too businesslike to buy without being sure of the sort of horse he was getting, and

with plenty of room for three on the seat when two of them were only nine-was brought round. There was an instant

ey shall have the outside place

h the bits of dust and dry clay, lost in her own happy thoughts or listening to Christopher's chatter and st

that came to his notice. Not that Jane was stupid because she did not ask questions. She generally listened to Christopher's continual "why" and learned from the a

most, but Jane

he road?" said grandfather. "Did yo

m, if I'd had a gun,"

ve been mean! He wasn't

ing something hateful to some other animal. A

shot it; squirrels run so fast,

When I get my gun I shall practice on

sweet, dear, gentle things an

h sense as squirrels and

its and other creatures of the forest, in which each displayed a goodly stock of knowled

he thought he saw another "why" trembling on the tip of Christopher's tongue, "here we a

strife for posse

er your manners. Ladies first." And grand

sure it is, and I'm going to have my turn. Move over, Jane, you needn't think you can have everything. She needn't be a pig,

n't push so, you rude boy. Ow!

ig

de-

ude

father

llt

rude, horrid boy," sai

ngy, tattling cry-

at you are saying to each other? Jane, give me those reins. Christopher, stay

nd there was no real reason why she should have been given the privilege of driving first. She would have liked to tell Christopher that she was sorry, to whisper to him to make up. But she glanced at his face and saw that it would do no good to

Drake, so the children went on a tour of investigation. They visited the menagerie and stared at the blinking, sleepy looking animals for a time and t

Letty joined them. She came up so softly over the thick

ther's friend will take th

swollen and red with weeping and her lip tremb

e 'em up," observed Chri

e been crying so,

ss the ponies. But I have to go aw

affairs touched the happy,

s to go with," comforted Christoph

to go to another c

ou are leaving this one?" dema

her knows of any one who wants a maid? I'd be willing to do anythin

circus to do housework!" ejaculate

y to! And maybe I should

deed; a girl who liked housework and study

e while her ankle gets well," put in Jane.

hat wants to buy t

en we were coming to Sunnycrest, and saw you. And

ed Christopher reassuringly.

came into Le

writes books! Oh, how I wish I coul

for a moment at the pon

yn't drive the ponies out to Sunnycrest her

would be jolly," agreed Christopher. "I

e was feeling very much exci

aid. "Mr. Drake still has the little carriage

Letty, with a little air of importance. "Perhaps Huldah would like somebody to h

" cried Letty, bursting into tears agai

aimed Christopher,

ays embarr