ggy, child, isn't this delightful? Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it
just the most wonderful and unexpected answer to my prayers? Here have
I been troubling my foolish head about what was to become of all these
dear people when I was not here, and now this smooths every difficulty
away. It troubled me to think of my dear girl working for herself, and
finding the fight grow harder and harder as the years passed, as all
women must, and of Austin left to Mellicent's scatter-brained care; but
you see I might have had more faith, for my fears were needless Esther's
home will be a stronghold for the family, and Professor Reid is so
congenial in his tastes that Austin will find unending interest in his
society. Of course they could not live together, but you know the vicar
has decided that he cannot keep on his parish much longer, as he is not
strong enough to do justice to the work, and when the break comes it
would be delightful if he and Mellicent could take a little house near
Esther in Oxford, where they could see her constantly and have the
benefit of her wise advice. It would be a great thing for `Chubby,'
too, for she has as much worldly wisdom as a baby, and indeed her dear
father is little better. It's no wonder I am pleased, is it, Peggy,
when I think of all that this engagement means?"

Peggy looked at her wonderingly. Flushed cheeks, radiant smiles, eyes
ashine with happiness, and all this pleasure at the thought of what was
to happen after her own death! Twenty-one drew a breath of dismay, and
cried reproachfully:

"I don't know how you _can_ talk so! I don't know how you can bear to
discuss such things in that complacent fashion. I won't _think_ of it
even, but you seem quite calm about it. You can talk, and even
_laugh_--"

"Yes!" cried Mrs Asplin quickly. "I can! I'm thankful for it. Many a
time in these last few weeks, Peggy, I've thanked my old father for the
gift of his irrepressible Irish spirit, and I've thanked God too, dear,
that, old and weary as I am, I can still look on the bright side, and
keep a cheery heart. It's a great blessing, Peg, a wonderful blessing,
for it helps not only ourselves, but those around us, over many a dismal
road. You have the gift, so see that you cultivate it, child, and never
let yourself imagine that you are pleasing God by going about with a
gloomy face and a furnace of sighs. The world wants all the sunshine it
can get, and deary me! what a pleasure it is