Monitress Merle

Mu

, to 'put on flesh.' Master Clive himself was only too well content to have what he justly considered a continuation of his holidays. He did not mean to be too clever over his lessons at the Vicarage, and, indeed, he planned to make a little work go a long way. Being out of doors as much as possible suited him exactly. He strutted about Durracombe, with a rolling naval walk, making friends with everybody, and telling them he had quite determined to go to sea and become an Admiral. He went out motoring with his grandfat

into the enemy's camp. When they were not sparring or playing jokes upon one another, the two were firm allies. Merle had always wished for a brother, and lively Clive was a companion after her own heart. Mrs. Ramsay, indeed, complained that her yo

bedroom. Neither Mavis nor Clive had had mumps, and it was hoped they might escape, though as they had been with Merle the germs might still be incubating. Mavis was, of course, not allowed to go to 'The Moorings,' and Clive was debarred from his lessons at The Vicarage, and they had to preserve a species of quarantine, equally trying to them both, for at Dr. Tremayne's suggestion Mavis turned temporary governess to Clive and coached him in several subjects in whic

usand a year!" she told Mother. "I'd rather clean doorsteps, or sew buttons on s

ow the little wretch rags me! I only wish it was Merle who had to teach him and that

Her great grievance was that she was left so much alone. Mrs. Ramsay had to attend to Aunt Nellie, to answer the telephone, and to interview patients who came while the doctors were out and to take their messag

ved in her bedroom. Nobody makes the least fuss about me! You don't even look decently sorry or very sympathetic! You

o laugh at your big face! Shal

so heartless!" retorte

me, and as it was in Dr. Ramsay's handwriting she concluded that her father must hav

WITH

s suffering f

t down and i

to cheer her

er face to m

with reproa

em 'twas a

d wretches,"

le here upst

ad intent t

only just to

then ceased

their sympa

, who her

and made the r

d forth, "

tairs with mu

just outsi

s chest was ho

ng in his thr

My Niece has

o came her p

rs in cups o

it grew s

egan to fee

to her ch

up his voic

ief of cap

groaned and m

tears that

enough to

ng in a poo

lack! my mump

cried Merle, "

works will

s, how I wis

weeping all

or goodness'

me in your

call you hear

umps we'll la

made great efforts to amuse her. Mavis sketched her portrait, adding wings and a halo, and printed underneath "Saint Merle suffe

he Durracombe a

ETY

of the most celebrated critics and press representatives of the neighbourhood, was unanimous in acknowledging her spirited conception of what was certainly a difficult and delicate role, which, in less skilled hands than hers, might have degenerated into buffoonery or sheer melodrama. She was greatly to

est country centre of education 'The Moorings.' Among her many activities Miss Ramsay numbers a facility in music and an affect

e to afford our press representative a personal interview, sent me

to fulfil my many engagements." At the request of the local Entertainments Committee we are asked to state that, owing to the absence

or the cat to share her solitude, but that was strictly forbidden on the ground that they might be germ-carriers and convey the mumps to others. One day she was sitting at her table trying to amuse herself with an everlasting game of patience, when she suddenly heard peculiar noises on the roof above. There was

ou do look rather a sight! I wanted to have a squi

g beast! How did

and borrowed the tall ladder. I've had rather a business clamber

w, but it di

picture of the fa

t it yourself, an

I throw it down? I've finished that boat we were making. Tom helped me. Mavis is hemmin

ut of the question. Don't you think you ought to be

wn into your

tch the

are if it meant m

somebody com

iful, but on the whole you don't look so bad as I

kfast tray. There were flowers and a packet of chocolates, and a new game of solitaire, and an amusing little mascot dog with a movable head. It was almost like having a birthday. On the top of the parcels

, of Durraco

heart that l

tender, kin

and beats f

l in this f

nd fix so

wound I be

VALENTIN

s, and Merle could only guess at the authorship, though

ery foolish of them, for he came in extremely handy. It's a pity to let good old customs drop. A St. Valentine revival society might be rathe

difference! He's sent me some nice things. Aren't there any more saint

t time, I hope, you'll be downstairs again, and e