d I both thank you
heartily for your kind help. I hope it was not an awful swat. I had to
say five because of the train. Good luck to you, and thanks awfully.

"Yours faithfully,
"CARISBROOK CAREW."

If Oswald had known beforehand we should never have made that two quid
for Miss Sandal.

For Oswald does not approve of marriages and would never, if he knew it,
be the means of assisting one to occur.

_THE LADY AND THE LICENSE; OR, FRIENDSHIP'S GARLAND_

"MY DEAR KIDDIES,--Miss Sandal's married sister
has just come home from Australia, and she feels
very tired. No wonder, you will say, after such a
long journey. So she is going to Lymchurch to
rest. Now I want you all to be very quiet, because
when you are in your usual form you aren't exactly
restful, are you? If this weather lasts you will
be able to be out most of the time, and when you
are indoors for goodness' sake control your lungs
and your boots, especially H.O.'s. Mrs. Bax has
travelled about a good deal, and once was nearly
eaten by cannibals. But I hope you won't bother
her to tell you stories. She is coming on Friday.
I am glad to hear from Alice's letter that you
enjoyed the Primrose Fete. Tell Noel that
'poetticle' is not the usual way of spelling the
word he wants. I send you ten shillings for
pocket-money, and again implore you to let Mrs.
Bax have a little rest and peace.

"Your loving
"FATHER."

"PS.--If you want anything sent down, tell me, and
I will get Mrs. Bax to bring it. I met your friend
Mr. Red House the other day at lunch."

When the letter had been read aloud, and we had each read it to
ourselves, a sad silence took place.

Dicky was the first to speak.

"It _is_ rather beastly, I grant you," he said, "but it might be worse."

"I don't see how," said H.O. "I do wish Father would jolly well learn to
leave my boots alone."

"It might be worse, I tell you," said Dicky. "Suppose instead of telling
us to keep out of doors it had been the other way?"

"Yes," said Alice, "suppose it had been, 'Poor Mrs. Bax requires to be
cheered up. D