sing through Winnipeg, nor your goodness to Larry and Kathleen while
in Winnipeg. They have often told us of your great kindness."

"And you may be quite sure, Mrs. Gwynne," said Dr. Brown heartily, "that
Larry brought his welcome with him, and as for Kathleen, we regard her
as one of our family."

"And this is Jane," said Mrs. Gwynne. "Dear child, you have grown. But
you have not changed. Come away to your room."

Once behind the closed door she put her arms around the girl and kissed
her. Then, holding her at arm's length, scrutinised her face with
searching eyes. "No," she said again with a little sigh of relief, "you
have not changed. You are the same dear, wise girl I learned to love in
Winnipeg."

"Oh, I am glad you think I am not changed, Mrs. Gwynne," said Jane, with
a glow of light in her dark blue eyes. "I do not like people to change
and I would hate to have you think me changed. I know," she added shyly,
"I feel just the same toward you and the others here. But oh, how lovely
they are, both Kathleen and Nora."

"They are good girls," said Mrs. Gwynne quietly, "and they have proved
good girls to me."

"I know, I know," said Jane, with impulsive fervour, "and through those
winters and all. Oh, they were so splendid."

"Yes," said the mother, "they never failed, and Larry too."

"Yes, indeed," cried Jane with increasing ardour, her eyes shining,
"with his teaching,--going there through the awful cold,--lighting the
school fires,--and the way he stuck to his college work. Nora's letters
told me all about it. How splendid that was! And you know, Mrs. Gwynne,
in the 'Varsity he did so well. I mean besides his standing in the
class lists, in the Societies and in all the college life. He was really
awfully popular," added Jane with something of a sigh.

"You must tell me, dear, sometime all about it. But now you must be
weary and hungry. Come away out if you are ready, and I hope you will
feel as if you were just one of ourselves."

"Do you know, that is just the way I feel, Mrs. Gwynne," said Jane,
putting the final touch to her toilet. "I seem to know the house,
and everything and everybody about it. Nora is such a splendid
correspondent, you see."

"Well, dear child, we hope the days you spend here will always be a very
bright spot in your life," said Mrs. Gwynne as they entered the living
room.

The next few days saw the beginning of the realisation of that hope, for
of all the bright spots in Jan