h their parents, and when they came back there was only a
short time to wait for the holidays. If I had space I would like to tell
you about this visit to London, and some of the interesting things that
happened there--how the children had rather a distressing adventure the
first evening of their arrival, for their father and mother had to go
off with their aunt in a hurry to see a sick friend, and, quite by
mistake, their nurse, not knowing the children would be alone, went out
with a message about a missing parcel, and poor Cissy, tired with the
journey and frightened by the dark, rather gloomy house and the strange
servants, had a terrible fit of crying, and clung to Ted as her only
protector in a manner piteous to see. And Ted soothed and comforted
her as no one else could have done. It was a pretty sight (though it
grieved their mother too, to find that poor Cissy had been frightened)
to see the little girl in Ted's arms, where she had fallen asleep, the
tears still undried on her cheeks; and the next morning, when she woke
up fresh and bright as usual, she told her mother that Ted had been, oh
so kind, she never could be frightened again if Ted was there.

There were many things to surprise and interest the children, Ted
especially, in the great world of London, of which now he had this
little peep. But as I have promised to tell you about the summer I must
not linger.

When they went back from town there were still eight or nine weeks
to pass before the holidays, and Ted worked hard, really very hard,
at school to gain the prize he had been almost sure of before the
interruption of going away. He did not say much about it, but his heart
_did_ beat a good deal faster than usual when at last the examinations
were over and the prize-giving day came round; and when all the
successful names were read out and his was not among them, I could not
take upon myself to say that there was not a tear to wink away, even
though there was the consolation of hearing that he stood second-best in
his class. And Ted's good feeling and common sense made him look quite
bright and cheerful when his mother met him with rather an anxious face.

"You're not disappointed I hope, Ted, dear, are you?" she said. "You
have not taken quite as good a place as usual, and I did think you might
have had a prize. But you know I am quite pleased, and so is your
father, for we are satisfied you have done your best, so you must not be
disappointed."