Jasper

by Mrs. Molesworth

andpromising to get "kite, kite well again," and come back with Daddy andMumsey for Christmas.

  And before very long, letters from various points on the way began todrop in--and after a little longer, a cable to Mr Maynard, sent on byhim without a moment's delay, you may be sure, which, being translatedby his "code," told of "safe arrival, all well, Jasper especially."

  And the refreshing visit to Seabay was paid, and Roland did go to Wintonat the October term, _without_ dear Aunt Margaret's rings needing to besold, and the letters that she and her little nieces sent by every mail,had happy and cheering news to give of the peaceful and busy home lifein the small house in Spenser Terrace, though, of course, they all endedwith the same chorus--"oh, how we long for you to come home again."

  Christmas came and went without bringing this joy. For just as Jasperand his parents were on the point of starting on their return, old MrGreville, who had revived wonderfully for a time, refreshed and cheeredby the presence and affection of his newly-found relations, diedsuddenly--peacefully and painlessly--at the great age of eighty-seven.And this delayed their leaving. It was not till the end of January,just about a year from the time we first made the acquaintance ofChrissie and her stockings, that the three travellers came home at last.I think happy times of this kind are difficult to describe, but lessdifficult to picture in one's own mind, especially for those who havethemselves known the exquisite delight of "being all together again"after separation, and no doubt some of my unknown little friends havehad this joy.

  There was nothing to spoil the return. Jasper was taller and plumperand ruddier than he had ever been in his life; his father and motherglad to feel that their visit had given happiness as well as brought itto themselves and their dear ones; for the future now looked verydifferent from what had been the case a year ago. There was even aprospect of having Fareham as their country home again before very long,as Mr Maynard had begun to rebuild a charming old house in theneighbourhood which he had bought, and intended to settle in, as soon asit was ready.

  And many good and happy plans gradually took shape in the children'sminds as to how others, less fortunate than themselves, should be madeto benefit by their prosperity--ideas suggested, in great part, I feelsure, by their close companionship with their Aunt Margaret.

  "Ever since I were so ill," said Jasper one day--his English by thistime being almost quite "grown-up"--"ever since I were so ill, I'vethought I'd like to make a beautiful big house at the seaside for poorchildren who've been ill, too, to get well in. And I'd have lots ofbath-chairs and donkeys for the weller ones."

  And who knows what may come of the idea some day?

  "But in the meantime," said Leila, "as soon as ever we're settled in ourbig new London house, Aunt Margaret and Mumsey are going to have a roomon purpose for us to have some poor children--not _ill_ ones, ofcourse--at tea, once a week. Won't it be nice?"

  "There's to be a piano for them to dance to, and all sorts of things,"added Chrissie.

  "And lots and lots of cakes and buns," said Jasper.

  His sisters laughed.

  "Why, Japs," said Chrissie, "you used never to care about nice things toeat."

  "But you see I'm always hungry now," he replied with satisfaction, "soit make me think that lots of them must be hungry too--awfly hungrysometimes, I daresay."

  "Well, they must have plenty to eat when they come to tea with _us_,"Chrissie agreed, and I am quite sure they did.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The End.