Mrs. Arundel looked thoughtful. And as the children were getting tired of sitting, Mrs. Ross took Alfy's hand and led the way to show them a little brook where she could pick them some water-cresses for tea. They all ran off after her; and Nellie came up to Tom, and placing the good-natured baby by his side on the perambulator, within the circle of his arm, she pushed them slowly up and down the shady lane, while Mrs. Arundel walked by her side, and they enjoyed one of those peaceful seasons that come but seldom to mothers and elder daughters of large families, and are prized accordingly.
Nellie and her stepmother loved each other dearly, and each truly sought to be a comfort to the other. It was wonderful how many ways Nellie found of doing little things for her mamma. While in her turn, Mrs. Arundel tried to fill a mother's place to the girl whom she had taken to her heart a desolate, motherless child, of four years old, just fifteen years ago.
This Sunday was long remembered; for that week a new era opened in the lives of some of that happy little party.
[CHAPTER V.]
THREE-AND-SIXPENCE.
"MAMMA! What time may we bathe?" was Ada's first question the next morning when they were fairly seated at breakfast.
"I have been thinking it over," answered Mrs. Arundel, "and I know you and Arthur would generally like to bathe before breakfast."
"That we should!" said Arthur. "Bathing in the middle of the day is 'girls' time.'"
"So should I," said Ada; "but oh, mamma, what a pity we did not go this morning!"