bout the funeral being
Monday. We weren't sure then but it would be an intrusion. You see we
left California about two weeks ago, and none of our mail has reached
us yet; so we hadn't heard. You're sure we won't bother you a bit, you
dear?"

Their aunt assured them rapturously that their coming was the most
blessed thing that could have been just at this time.

"Oh! then I'm relieved," said Leslie, throwing off her hat and
dropping into the nearest chair. "Allison, tell that man to put the
car somewhere in a garage and get back to the city. They said there
was a train back about this time. The man who directed us told us so.
No, dear, he doesn't need any dinner. He's not used to it till seven,
and he'll be in the city by that time. He's in a hurry to get back.
Cookies? Well, yes, you might give him a cooky or two if you're sure
there'll be enough left for us. I've just dreamed of those cookies all
these years. I'm so anxious to see if they'll taste as they did when I
was a child. May I come with you and see if I remember where the
cooky-jar is? Oh, joy, Allison! Just look! A whole crock and a platter
full! Isn't this peachy? Allison, do hustle up and get that man off so
we can begin our visit!"

It was like having a couple of dolls suddenly come alive and begin to
talk.

They talked so fast and they took everything so delightfully for
granted that Julia Cloud was in a tremble of joy. It seemed the most
beautiful thing in the world that these two strong, handsome, vivid
young things should have dropped into her life and taken her into
their hearts in this way as if she really belonged, as if they loved
her! She was too excited to talk. She hardly knew what to do first.
But they did not wait for her initiative. Allison was off with his car
and his man, munching cookies as he went, and promising to return in
fifteen minutes hungry as a bear.

"Now let's go up-stairs, you dear Cloudy Jewel, and I'll smooth my
hair for dinner. I'm crazy to see if I remember things. There was a
little red chair that I used to sit in----"

"It's here, in your room, dear, and the old rag doll, Betsey; do you
remember her?"

"Well, I should say I did! Is Betsey alive yet? Dear old Betsey! How
ducky of you to have kept her for me all these years! Oh, isn't it
perfectly peachy that we could come? That we're really here at last,
and you want us? You do, don't you, Cloudy, dear? You're sure you do?"
Lesley's tone was anxious, and her brigh