aucepan that has just been upset on the carpet. He thinks he
is going to be a doctor, so he is always making experiments. Of course,
he isn't going to be a doctor, really; the house can't run to it; but
we let him have his fancies. Then comes Peter, whom you have just sat
upon. Peter can't help being funny, so you must try and bear with him.
There are so few jokes in this family that perhaps we have encouraged him
more than we should.'

'Wait till she's gone, that's all!' threatened Peter in a whisper, as he
passed by after shaking hands with Jill. Christopher looked at him over
his spectacles, and went calmly on.

'I'm next on the list, and my name is Christopher, changed by the vulgar
into Kit,' he was proceeding, when Egbert made a spirited interruption.

'He is our genius,' he said, with a flourish of his hand towards the
spokesman. 'We are all very proud of him, for although only thirteen,
he has the wisdom and intelligence of one twice his age. He is the only
member of the family who can spell, and----'

'Oh, dry up!' muttered Kit, but his remonstrance was drowned in the
approving jeers of the others. The genius had had it all his own way for
about ten minutes, and it was satisfactory to see him 'scored off' in
his turn. Kit tried to resume his dignified attitude in front of Jill, but
the attempt was not particularly successful. It was always impossible in
the Berkeley family to remain dignified for long.

'Are you sure you have got them right so far, or shall I write them
down?' he asked, with so much gravity that Jill looked at him rather
suspiciously. He met her glance through his spectacles without wincing,
and the others tittered again. They were still a little doubtful about
this new cousin of theirs, who was so unlike any one who had come their
way before; and it was rather a relief to pretend to be amused.

'The last of the boys is Robin, or Bobbin if you prefer it,' continued
Kit, glibly. 'He is the youngest of us all, and the most ill-used. Indeed,
when you came in just now, you may have seen the Babe trying to rescue
him. That reminds me! I have left out our only girl. She comes between me
and Bobbin, and here you may perceive her--the Babe!'

Barbara came slowly round from her hiding-place at the back of the sofa,
and stood face to face with Jill. There was rather a wistful look on the
small countenance just then; for in all her dreams of the wonderful
cousin who was going to be her first girl-fr