The Children of Cupa

THE CHILDREN OF CUPA.
BY MARY E. MANNIX, Author of As True as Gold, Pancha and Panchito, etc. NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO: BENZIGER BROTHERS, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See . 1905.
Copyright, 1905, by Benziger Brothers.

THE CHILDREN OF CUPA.
The mother had been very ill, and the question was, where shall we take her so that she may get thoroughly well? It must be some place where the family might accompany her. She had declared that she would not go without papa and Nellie and Walter.
It was nearing the close of schooltime, and papa's yearly vacation was at hand, so there would be no difficulty on that score. Some one had suggested Santa Monica as affording a complete change of scene, but the doctor tabooed that place and she herself did not care for it.
She is already too near the sea, the man of medicine said. She needs entire change; she would only grow ill again and nervous amid the clatter of hotel life and the crowds on the beach.
But we might take a cottage, suggested Aunt Mary.
Yes—I know those seaside cottages, said the doctor, that is, those which are built to rent for the season. A few boards thrown together, and only a pretence made of papering the walls inside—draughts rushing through the rooms continually and underneath the house as well. Why, my dear sir, you can actually see the carpet rising in waves from the floor. They are all erected on piles, you know. No seaside cottage for our invalid—no, indeed.
What do you say to the mountains, doctor? asked Mr. Page.
The very thing, was the reply. But there are objections to be made in that case also. Accommodations are not usually comfortable—the food is always plentiful, but not always choice.