sun shone cheerily in on the Spectacle Man, who was waiting upon a
customer; and Peterkin, who had selected the brightest spot to be found,
was making his toilet in an absorbed manner.

Mr. Clark bowed and smiled and asked them to be seated for a few
minutes; but Frances, all impatience, could not think of keeping still,
and, seeing the cat, was presently down on the floor beside him.

"Do you know, puss," she whispered, stroking him gently, "that maybe we
are coming here to live?"

The news evidently tickled him, so much so that he sneezed and shook
his head vigorously; then, as if fearing to be misunderstood, he began
to purr softly.

"Come, Frances, Mr. Clark is ready to show us the rooms," her father
called; and it is to be hoped Peterkin was not hurt by the sudden manner
in which he was dropped.

"This is a nice old place, Jack," whispered Mrs. Morrison as they
followed Frances and the Spectacle Man up the stairs. The former was
explaining with great animation how they had seen the advertisement in
the paper and she had recognized it. "You see, father is going away and
can't take us, and mother and I think we'd like to come here, perhaps,"
she said.

"Well, I had a presentiment I was going to find a good tenant, but I did
not think it would be you," was his reply.

The rooms proved to be large and light; the paper and paint were fresh
and clean, and what furniture there was was simple and new.

"I believe it is the very place for us," Mrs. Morrison said, her
housewifely eyes taking in all the possibilities of cosey comfort. "It
will be a new and charming experience; and as for the Spectacle Man, he
is simply delightful!"

After showing them through, Mr. Clark had left them, and they could hear
him singing as he went,

"The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it."

"Yes, this will be a nice sitting room, with its windows where,--to
quote Frances--'The little sun comes peeping in at morn!'" said Mr.
Morrison.

"And this bedchamber is lovely, and the little kitchen--"

"We can make candy sometimes, can't we, mother?" Frances interrupted,
dancing wildly about.

"O Jack! if only you were going to be here;" Mrs. Morrison turned
suddenly to the sunny window.

"You know I'll not go one step unless you are willing, Kate," her
husband said, coming to her side.

"Don't be a goose, dear, of course you are going." Her face was hidden
against his shoulder for a moment, then she turned brightly to Frances,