asting conjurer and magic-lantern. Could you not
find some songs which they would like to hear?"

He looked at her inquiringly, and Hope stood still in the middle of the
lane and stared at him with kindling eyes. "_Children_!" she whispered
beneath her breath--"_children_!"

It was the prettiest thing in the world to see the different emotions
chase each other over the sweet face: surprise first, and puzzled
questioning; then the gradual dawning of an idea, the flush of radiant
triumph.

"Children's parties! Oh, what an idea! What a brilliant, brilliant
ideal Mr Merrilies, how can I ever thank you? I don't know why I did
not think of it myself, for it is the very thing I should love above all
others; and I believe I could make it a success."

She turned and began to walk rapidly forward, waving her hands and
unfolding her programme with characteristic Charrington enthusiasm.

"I know what I will do--I know exactly. I will tell them a story, and
sing descriptive little songs at intervals. Theo shall write the words
and share in the profits; and the songs shall be set to well-known airs,
for children love what they know, and would enjoy joining in the
choruses. Oh, it will be charming!--a new fairy tale introducing all
the dear old characters--the Giant who lives alone in his Castle, and
eats up every one who comes in his way. `Fe-fo-fum!' that shall be his
song--`Fe-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman!' Can't you hear
the deep chords in the bass? Then there must be the Prince, of course,
and the most beautiful Princess that ever was seen--"

"With golden hair and dark-blue eyes," put in the listener, with a look
in his eyes that passed unnoticed by his excited companion.

"Yes, yes; and--and a wicked fairy who was not asked to the christening,
and a good fairy who undid all her spells. Theo will bring them all in.
I will write to her this very night, for there is not a minute to be
lost. I shall have no difficulty in setting the songs to music, and
should not feel a scrap nervous singing to children. Deal little souls!
What fun it will be watching their faces and hearing them join in the
choruses! Oh, what a charming ideal! Do you really think any one would
allow me to try?"

"I will give you your first engagement now, at this moment! My sister
will be only too eager to secure you; and she will tell her friends of
the new idea. I shall say that your fee is rather high, but that at all
co