f youth, the freshness of health, the innocence of a nature whose sweet
maidenliness Mac felt but could not describe. Gentle yet full of spirit,
and all aglow with the earnestness that suggests lovely possibilities
and makes one hope that such human flowers may have heaven's purest air
and warmest sunshine to blossom in.

"Wait and see," answered Rose; then, as her uncle's voice was heard in
the hall, she held out her hand, adding pleasantly, "The old times are
to begin again, so come soon and tell me all your doings and help me
with mine just as you used to do."

"You really mean it?" And Mac looked much pleased.

"I really do. You are so little altered, except to grow big, that I
don't feel at all strange with you and want to begin where we left off."

"That will be capital. Good night, Cousin," and to her great amazement,
he gave her a hearty kiss.

"Oh, but that is not the old way at all!" cried Rose, stepping back
in merry confusion while the audacious youth assumed an air of mild
surprise as he innocently asked: "Didn't we always say good night in
that way? I had an impression that we did and were to begin just as we
left off."

"Of course not. No power on earth would have bribed you to do it, as you
know well enough. I don't mind the first night, but we are too old for
that sort of thing now."

"I'll remember. It was the force of habit, I suppose, for I'm sure
I must have done it in former times, it seemed so natural. Coming,
Father!" and Mac retired, evidently convinced he was right.

"Dear old thing! He is as much a boy as ever, and that is such a
comfort, for some of the others have grown up very fast," said Rose to
herself, recalling Charlie's sentimental airs and Archie's beatified
expression while Phebe sang.

Chapter 2 OLD FRIENDS WITH NEW FACES

"It is so good to be home again! I wonder how we ever made up our minds
to go away!" exclaimed Rose as she went roaming about the old house next
morning, full of the satisfaction one feels at revisiting familiar nooks
and corners and finding them unchanged.

"That we might have the pleasure of coming back again," answered Phebe,
walking down the hall beside her little mistress, as happy as she.

"Everything seems just as we left it, even to the rose leaves we used to
tuck in here," continued the younger girl, peeping into one of the tall
India jars that stood about the hall.

"Don't you remember how Jamie and Pokey used to play Forty Thieves w