knew him. We used to run races and have the
greatest fun. And Aunty and I had nice times going down to the camp."

"Oh, dear! oh, dear!" sighed Rupert. He could not see the fun at all.

When Annie had been three years with the Grants, Major and Mrs. Randolph
came to London, and drove down to the villa to see her. It was a great
pleasure to them all. Annie had a thousand questions to ask about
Grandmamma and Aunty, who no longer lived in the hut, but in Medville,
where Mr. Grant had hired a small house for them.

"They are quite comfortable now," said Mrs. Randolph. "Aunty has gained
a little flesh, and Grandmamma is stronger, and able to walk out
sometimes. Old Sambo came down the very night before we left with a box
of birds' eggs, which he wished to send to 'Missy Annie.' They are in
the carriage; you shall have them presently. And here is a long letter
from Aunty."

"Annie, you look just the same," remarked the Major; "only you are
grown, and the sunburn has worn off and left you as fair as a lily. You
used to be brown as a bun when I knew you first. I needn't ask if you
are happy here?"

"Oh! very, very happy," said Annie warmly.

"A great deal happier than you were when you lived with Grandmamma and
Aunty?" inquired Mrs. Randolph.

"Why, no!" cried Annie wonderingly; "not any happier than _that_. I used
to have lovely times then; but I have lovely times here too."

"That child will never lack for happiness," said the Major, as they
drove back to London. "She's the brightest little being I ever saw."

"Yes," replied his wife; "rain or shine, it's all one with Annie. Her
cheer comes from within, and is so warm and radiant that, whatever sky
is overhead, she always rejoices. Let the clouds do what they may, it
makes no difference: Annie will always sit in the sun,--the sunshine of
her own sweet, happy little heart."

[Illustration]

UP, UP, UP, AND DOWN, DOWN, DOWN-Y.

"NOW, Dinah, it's time to try the jelly."

"Wait a minute, Miss May; it can't be stiff yet."

"Oh, yes! Dinah, it is; I think it is. I'll only just breathe on it,
Dinah; I'll not disturb it a bit."

"Let me breathe on it too."

"And me."

Dinah chuckled silently to herself in a way she had. She opened the
kitchen window, and in one second three little girls had climbed on
three chairs, and three curly heads had met over the saucer of currant
juice which stood on the sill.

"I _think_ it's going to jelly," said May.

Lul