e men came to fumigate the house and they all went to a
friend's and took lunch.

"Dear me, what a nice little maid you have," said the friend. "She
seems to know just what to do, and she's so pleasant tempered. Where
did you find her?"

"She came from Bethany Home and she's bound to me until she's
eighteen. She'll be of good service."

The Autumn was glorious with a good deal of sunshine; Jack went back
to school and was getting to be a regular boy, full of pranks; they
were sometimes rather rough. He did stand in awe of his father, but he
occasionally said things to Marilla that were not a bit nice, then he
would coax her not to tell of them.

One afternoon Miss Armitage came. Bridget said she was sorry the
ladies were out but the visitor said she wanted to see Marilla and the
babies and went up stairs to the nursery. Playthings were all about;
Marilla had been building houses for the twins to knock down. They
glanced at Miss Armitage with wondering eyes, but they said "down,
down" when Marilla took to a chair. Then they tumbled over her and
buried their hands in her curly hair, even if it pulled. They showed
they owned her, and it really was not an easy lot for the little girl.
She did look pale and tired but she was so glad to see her friend.

Then the lady began to plan if there was any way to get her free. She
went to see Mrs. Johnson.

"Why the child seems very well off," was the rather tart reply. "She
is well fed and clothed and has nothing to do but amuse two little
ones. Many a girl would jump at the place. It wouldn't do for us to be
changing them about, you see. We do sometimes take away a child who is
ill treated. I've visited this Mrs. Borden several times and found
things very satisfactory."

"But she could be educated--"

"My dear lady, there are hundreds of these poor children who need a
good home and to be fitted for their station in life which cannot be a
very high one. Their heads must not be filled with dreams of wonderful
fortunes. Real work is and must be the lot of those who are homeless
and dependent. Now, if _you_ wanted to adopt some child I have two
lovely little girls here, one of them born to luxury it would seem,
but misfortune and death made a waif of her. I do hope some well-to-do
people will take a fancy to her."

No, she didn't want any stranger. She would wait and see. Why should
she care so much for Marilla? The faint little voice haunted her--"Are
you a fairy godmother?