y cutting slits in them just below the waistband, and sewing to
the slits on the inside little pockets like small bag purses. Lydia
showed her how to do it; and if the work was somewhat rough, and not quite
finished, the pocket answered very well, and we cannot all reach
perfection at once.

But at this moment the precious watch stood on the mantelpiece in the blue
bedroom, on the watch-stand which was another of Esther's treasures.
Lydia had given it to her on one of her birthdays; it was made of white
wood, and had a little view on it of Blackpool, where Lydia had been
spending her holidays. In her shabby, ugly bedroom at home Esther had not
used her precious stand, it was all too dusty and ill-cared for; but here,
where everything was so nice, it was to be given a prominent position.

When the children got home at last, tired and very hungry, they found four
mugs of milk awaiting them, and a tin of biscuits; they found also that
the postman had been with letters. There were none for them; but they
never expected any, and postmen and posts held little interest for them as
a rule. To-day, though, it had brought them something.

"I have heard from your mother, dears," said Cousin Charlotte, "and she
sends you her love, and hopes you have arrived safely."

"Oh, we ought to let her know," cried Penelope, with sudden remorse that
they had none of them thought of doing so before.

"It is all right," said Miss Charlotte consolingly. "I sent her a
telegram last evening, after you came. She knew before Poppy went to bed.
Ephraim took it to Gorley for me. Oh, you don't know Ephraim yet, do you?
He is our handyman. He attends to the garden, and the poultry, and does
all kinds of useful things. But, of course, you want to hear about your
mother, more than about Ephraim. Well, dears, I cannot tell you much, for
I have broken my glasses and cannot read very well. I was waiting for
Esther to come home and be my eyes for me for once. I did make out,
though, that she is very busy, and leaves Framley to-morrow. No, dear,"
to Esther, "I won't ask you to read it now. We will wait till you have
had your lunch. I expect you are all hungry, and there is no great
hurry."

Their milk and biscuits disposed of, Penelope and the two younger ones
sauntered away to the garden. Esther waited. Miss Charlotte took Mrs.
Carroll's letter from a little pile, and handed it to her. Esther, who
was burning with impatience to know if