be more ludicrous than elegant.

"Eggs; hard-boiled eggs are always dear to my heart in the scenes of my
childhood."

"Bridget, put on a dozen eggs, to boil ten minutes."

"G--Ginger-snaps."

"Grapes."

"Gum-arabic," from Dick.

It takes so long to decide this important point that Dr. Clifford calls
out the fourth letter:

"I."

A hush falls upon them, but, as Dick would say, made no noise, and did
no damage in falling. No one can think of anything but ice-cream. And I
challenge you: put your hand over your eyes, and name two other edibles
beginning with "I."

At last Dick, in an ecstasy of inspiration, starts up, and cries,
"Inch-worms!"

A peal of laughter, and each one suggests some impossible or awful
article; and then the dauntless Richard again: "A few _I_deas."

"If we had them to spare," says papa, dryly.

"Irish potatoes would be like coals at Newcastle."

"I feel it in my bones that Bridget would suggest '_I_sters.'"

"Apropos of that," says Milly, "I think we shall have to adopt the
sound, and send Inglish walnuts, as Anna loves them dearly."

"Now for the last letter."

"S--Sardines."

The things are collected, and stowed away in the box; it is sent off by
express, and in a few days the following letter announces its arrival.

ELM BANK, ---- 16, 1880.

DEAR, DEAR, DEAR FAMILY,--I know I can't show you my delight
better than by telling you all about it.

Yesterday we Aegises were out walking all the afternoon, and when
we came home, hungry as wolves, were cheered by a chorus from the
piazza:

"A Clifford box, a Wood box--
A Clifford box, a Wood box."

Perhaps you have no appetizing association with a wood-box, but
the news quickened our steps, and inspired us with the elasticity
of a quintette of rubber balls as we bounded up the steps, and
fell upon our boxes with all the love of a father upon a returned
prodigal.

I sat down on my box, and Gertie on hers, and there we sat, as
happy as two enthroned queens, with serfs and vassals standing
near. How every girl in school idolized us last night!

"George has driven Madame over to town, and won't be back till
late," said Enid, coming from her expedition to the basement in
search of George. (George is the man-servant who "does the chores"
and "plays hero" for the school.)

"How can we ever get these up stairs?" asks Gertie.

"C