it is such a dreadful thing."

"Oh, no, not dreadful at all!" and Aunt Zelie laughed at the doleful
faces. "You can help, all of you, by being cheerful. And think what
nice letters you can write me!"

"What will the club do?" Carl demanded.

"Conduct itself with propriety, to be sure; and now I must pack my
trunk."

"Think of your wishing that something would happen!" said Bess
reproachfully to her brother as they went upstairs.

It was very forlorn next morning to say good-by, knowing that when
they came from school Aunt Zelie would not be there; but they
remembered their promise and tried to be cheerful. How the rest of the
day passed Bess told in a letter written that evening:

DEAR AUNT ZELIE: You have been gone ten hours. Carl counted it
up, and we miss you very much. Father has come home, so that is
one comfort. He is reading the paper now. It was lonely at lunch
with only us, but Nannie came over with a note from Miss Brown
asking us to come and take five o'clock tea, Carie and all. We
had a good time. Miss Brown told stories and showed us some funny
old things that belonged to her aunt. There was some jewelry that
Louise and I would like to have to play Queen Mary in. Carl liked
an old "Pilgrim's Progress" that was printed more than a hundred
years ago, but Ikey said he would rather have a new one.

Carie was good as could be, and we had tea out of the little
cups. We are grateful to Miss Brown. I think she was being a good
neighbor, don't you? Father says it is bedtime, so good-night,
dear Aunt Zelie.

From your loving nieces,

BESS and LOUISE.

Several days later she received one from Carl:

DEAR AUNT ZELIE: I have not written before because there was
nothing of interest to tell you. We are getting on very well,
though I think Joanna is too bossy, and mammy is nearly as bad.
But we have been pretty good on the whole. Cousin Helen was not
going to let Aleck stay Friday night, for fear he would cut up,
but Father said, "Nonsense!" so he came. We had a better time at
the club than we expected. The boys were dreadfully sorry you
were not there. Our screens are coming on finely, though Ikey
pasted a dragon on upside-down. Will read the last chapter of
"The Talisman" aloud while we worked. Then Father came up and was
as jolly as could be. He advised us to read the "Life of
Washing