y liked them!

"Is Mr Melland's ankle getting better? Have you had any more
callers, invitations, rides, excursions, or excitements generally?
Please answer my questions next time, and don't ignore them, as you
generally do. Drummond had a fine adventure yesterday. Another small
boy dared him to stick his head between our railings, and he did, but
it wouldn't come out! He pushed, and the small boy pulled, and a
crowd collected right across the pavement, making kind suggestions,
and commenting on the size of his ears. Whenever he tried to get
back, the railings caught them, and they stuck out like sails.
Finally his pride gave way, and he howled, and a friendly policeman
coming along, poked the rails apart with a stick, or did something or
other, and out he came with a rush. He looked very crushed in every
sense all the evening, so we hope it may be a lesson to him.

"The next-door girls have new hats--mustard straw, draped with green,
and roses under the brim. It seems so sad to reflect that the poor
dears probably imagine they look quite nice!

"How is the Ogre? Does he still live in his den, and growl when you
appear? I should be very glad he did shut himself up, when he is so
cross and disagreeable!

"Well, ta-ta, my darlings! I miss you at home, but I can't say I pine
for your return, for it's quite pleasant to be Number One for a
change, and boss Attica and the Muz. Take care of yourselves, behave
prettily, and don't forget the hair-ribbons.--Your loving Trix."

"Wild child!" said Ruth, smiling. "She does write the most absurd
letters! Better tear that up at once, Mollie, or burn it when you get
into the house. You have such a trick of leaving things about, and it
isn't safe. Uncle Bernard might--"

She started violently, and Mollie jumped to her feet as a harsh voice
interrupted the sentence--

"Uncle Bernard has already had the pleasure of hearing the way in which
a member of your family writes of him to a visitor in his own house.
Ideas of loyalty seem to have altered since my young days, when it was
considered a breach of decent feeling to eat a man's salt and speak
slightingly of him behind his back!"

Ruth sat silent, crimson to the roots of her hair; Mollie shuffled
miserably from one foot to another, but did not shrink from the old
man's angry gaze.

"But how did you hear, Uncle Bernard? Have you been sitting behind this
open window, l