later on. There is
so much to do in the house. I hope you will all help in the unpacking
to-day, or we shall never get straight.'

'Household cares already beginning!' said Elfie, laughing. 'Now I vote
we all take a holiday this lovely day, and explore our surroundings;
there's time enough to put the house straight later on.'

'Agatha will be miserable till every pin finds its place,' said Gwen.
'I promise that I'll work like a horse all this morning, but this
afternoon I will have for pleasure.'

And this was how they finally settled it; and all four spent their
morning in putting up curtains, hanging pictures, superintending the
carpets and rugs being laid down, and sorting out and distributing the
linen, plate, and china as it was needed.

Clare and Elfie sang as they worked, Gwen directed, scolded, and joked
in turn, and Agatha was the only one who seemed to feel it a grave and
solemn responsibility.

But they sat down to their luncheon with light hearts.

'We only want to fill the house with flowers to make it look really
comfortable,' said Clare, 'and I mean to go and look for some this
afternoon.'

Agatha could not be persuaded to leave the house. Housekeeping was her
forte, and she declared she would never sit down in comfort, till her
store and linen cupboards were in perfect order.

The three others wandered first through the garden, and Gwen declared
her intention of taking the whole of it under her superintendence.

'You don't know a thing about it,' said Elfie, saucily.

'Then I can learn. We are not going to live in the lap of luxury here,
as you will soon discover. Our two maids will be rather different to
our staff of servants in London.'

'Well, I tell you what I will do,' said Elfie: 'I'll help Martha with
the cooking; I did a lot in Germany. I'll send you in the most
delicious tea-cakes and biscuits for afternoon tea, and I'll teach her
how to cook her vegetables after the German fashion!'

'Defend us from German grease, and odious mixtures of sweet and sour!'
exclaimed Clare. 'Make us the tea-cakes, but leave the vegetables
alone. Now take us down the village, Gwen, and let us see the church.'

They left the garden, and picked their way down the muddy lane until
they reached the village street. Clare and Elfie were delighted with
all they saw, especially with the old church. It had a typical country
churchyard, with a large yew tree inside the old lych gate. The door
was