The House That Grew

o not mean so much the actual waking; that of course is always a little confusing, even if only in a different room from the one you are used to

I soon remembered where I was, especially when I caught sight of Esmé's little bed beside mine, and

y warm water in my bath for once, and moved about very quietly, so as not to waken Esmé and thereby

, and I heard the servants working busily in the kitchen and dining-room, though there was no

where I stood,-I think I have said that the hut was on a sort of 'plateau,-' though at some little distance, came the sound of the waves, lapping in softly, for it was a calm day, and now and then the flash of a gull as it flew past, or the fa

quirrels and the home birds all busy and happy in the coming of

new fairly well, and partly translating as she read. It was called Les Ailes de Courage, by some great French author, who wrote it, I think, for his or her grandchildren, and it is almost the most interesting and strangest story I ever heard-about a boy who lived quite, quite alone in a cave

ion in my mind, I felt a hand slipped gently round my neck. It was no

'and oh, mamma, doesn't it rem

d, 'I know exactl

a very tiny sigh from mamma reminded me of something else-that dear papa was on that same great sea that

g cold. We had better go in, dear. I think it is going to be a lovely day,

he children's cones on the top. And the room looked quite cosy and tidy, as Mar

me out, but there may be difficulties with her hair. And you might hurry up the boys, Ida

last managed to get him really awake, and Denzil almost began to cry. He had planned with Esmé, he said, to have a run d

I asked. 'She woke Esmé at

all mixed up with a wonderful dream that he wanted me to stay to listen to, about a balloon (he had heard us talking about Taisy's balloon) with lo

nto the fire, for instead of telling the rest of his dream, Denzil now wanted to know exactly what I meant, and what his brain was 'like,' and how a word could get in

as it is,' I said; 'and if you are not quick yo

happy beginning. But I pulled up just in time, and took in good part Hoskins's reminder that it wouldn't do to rush about as if w

y or two once on board one of the big steamers at Southampton that a cousin o

hen,' I said, rather pertly, I am afr

ey do do any washing-up in them, let alone cooking. Not an inch of space lost, you may say. And as to how they manage in rough weather when everything's atop of the other, it's just wonderful, not that I've any wish to see for myself; the se

e rather shy and ashamed; Denzil eager to explain the whole story of his dream, and to tease poor mamma about

resay you who read this have suspected, otherwise I could not have been so exact about details, though it needs no diary to remind myself of the feeling of it all, of the curious charm of the half gypsy life. Not that it really was nearly as 'gypsy' as we wo

storm at sea. How would that do? N

o at all. Besides, there never are storms at this time of year. It's past the bad time. No, something mor

idea mamma s

esides, Ida, you forget that though we are living in a hut, we are still at home on our

d George. 'They have been frightened of Eastercove,

ading some aloud. I have got one or two nice books that none of you know

not fond of being the readers, and though mamma read aloud beautifully, I knew

, to take turns with you, mamma

st really arrange about your lessons, Ida-yours and the little ones. And Geordie

the time. Mamma had thought she would have so much less to do, with papa away, and no calls to pay, or going out to dinners and luncheons, all of which she had given up for the time. But it did not look very like it so far-I mean not very like her 'having mor

at all looking forward t

e children a bit, and she is so clever. Lots of my own lessons I could have done with her too.

ooking rather cloudy, f

g work as well as excitement. And the worst of over-excitement, at least for young, strong people, is,

st what I feel. You do un

to-morrow,' mamma went on again. 'I think it is quite time tha

g for them to do,' I said. 'You left ev

little cross at

ought with them,' said Geordie; '

or hope I have owned-I have a quick temper. But Dods was not famous for 'tact'; that habit of

your sentence,' I said sharply

wn unpacking,' he replied, 'quite extra fro

uld like to cry, for I thought I had been very patient and goo

miling a little; 'and to give Ida her due,' she went on, turnin

y, 'after all, I don't know that I did. I suppose we've al

rt of way. You have all been most helpful; I wish y

ny one, wouldn't it? I never knew any one like mamma for making horr

me to go with you when you call

ng calls, and I could not bear the idea of being received as visitors in our very own house. This was extremely silly of course, as it was such a lucky thing for us to have let it to good, careful people like the Trevors, but I don't think

as if it must be Sunday, for it was not often, except on Sundays, that I was in the woods in very neat 'get up,'-proper gloves instead

nteresting. There was nobody young among them, and hearing that they had

interesting did come of th

'the ladies were at home,' he said-by

he furniture, and there were unfamiliar odds and ends about, which made it feel strange. I was rather glad that there was no one in the room to rece

window, and I had been looking towards the door. There are long, low-down windows in the drawing-room, and at one

is the best word for it, and though I was so young then and knew so little of life, I felt that it was a face that had grown quiet throug

ERRACE, AND MRS. TRE

n, but just a look-a look that made one feel that she had come through sorrow, and

y, 'to have kept you waiting. It is such a lovely after

re creep into Miss Trevor's gray eyes at mamma's pretty voice and manner. 'May w

really who could have rheumatism in this dry, fragrant air? We are so delighted with everything about your beautiful home, Mrs. Lanark,' she went on. (It has just struck

or her to do so, as you might think. She had three dogs-darlings, I must own, and not barking, snapping darlings-dancing round her, and she was all twisted about with wool, red and g

only existed for their benefit. How she managed to keep the wool clean, and to knit the pretty fluffy things she did, I never found out. I real

ghing-such

ve to my pugs, Mrs. Lanark, and I am afraid

d to help, so between us we managed to get the wool wound up pretty quickly, the doggies standing by more q