o Charlottetown, to be gone the whole day. They left us many
charges as usual, some of which we remembered and some of which we
forgot; but with Felicity in command none of us dared stray far out of
line. The Story Girl and Peter came over, of course, and we all agreed
that we would haste and get the work done in the forenoon, that we might
have an afternoon of uninterrupted enjoyment. A taffy-pull after dinner
and then a jolly hour of coasting on the hill field before supper were
on our programme. But disappointment was our portion. We did manage to
get the taffy made but before we could sample the result satisfactorily,
and just as the girls were finishing with the washing of the dishes,
Felicity glanced out of the window and exclaimed in tones of dismay,

"Oh, dear me, here's Great-aunt Eliza coming up the lane! Now, isn't
that too mean?"

We all looked out to see a tall, gray-haired lady approaching the house,
looking about her with the slightly puzzled air of a stranger. We had
been expecting Great-aunt Eliza's advent for some weeks, for she was
visiting relatives in Markdale. We knew she was liable to pounce down on
us any time, being one of those delightful folk who like to "surprise"
people, but we had never thought of her coming that particular day. It
must be confessed that we did not look forward to her visit with any
pleasure. None of us had ever seen her, but we knew she was very deaf,
and had very decided opinions as to the way in which children should
behave.

"Whew!" whistled Dan. "We're in for a jolly afternoon. She's deaf as a
post and we'll have to split our throats to make her hear at all. I've a
notion to skin out."

"Oh, don't talk like that, Dan," said Cecily reproachfully. "She's old
and lonely and has had a great deal of trouble. She has buried three
husbands. We must be kind to her and do the best we can to make her
visit pleasant."

"She's coming to the back door," said Felicity, with an agitated glance
around the kitchen. "I told you, Dan, that you should have shovelled the
snow away from the front door this morning. Cecily, set those pots
in the pantry quick--hide those boots, Felix--shut the cupboard door,
Peter--Sara, straighten up the lounge. She's awfully particular and ma
says her house is always as neat as wax."

To do Felicity justice, while she issued orders to the rest of us,
she was flying busily about herself, and it was amazing how much was
accomplished in the way of putti