"Baby's all right ma'am," said Mary, holding him up for inspection with great pride; "but Master Tom has felt the heat a good deal, and your being away too."
The mother gave a little sigh, and then turned to the others, still, however, holding Tom's little frail fingers. "So you are all, I suppose, as hot as you can be, and much too hot for a piece of good news?"
"Oh, no, mamma! Is it—is it that we are really to go to South Bay?"
Their mother nodded, smiling; whereupon there were shouts and a great hubbub, and then the little ones found that Nellie and Arthur had come up to share in the rejoicings, and were looking as radiant as could be.
"Oh, it is too delightful!" said Ada, rapturously kissing her mamma over and over, till Nellie came behind and said gently,—
"Do you not think we had better all go down and leave the little ones to their tea?"
"Yes," said their mother. "They will all be glad to get to bed."
And so, with one kiss for her fat baby, she left the room, followed by Arthur, and Nellie, and Ada.
"Our tea is just ready, mamma," said Nellie, "and I will go and make it. I am sure you must be tired."
"I am, dear," answered Mrs. Arundel, "and I will soon be down."