Father had come to town last night, and Mums, to whom the wonderful news that Jean Corvette's Major Graham was the right one, had been wired as soon as it was a certainty, and who had met him there. They hadn't wired to Joey, because Mums, who knew what was going to happen on that last day, thought the excitement would be upsetting, and she had better know nothing till Father was there.
"Though it was a shame, when it all came about through you, Joey," Mums said.
"Isn't it funny?" Joey remarked blissfully. "It's like the house that Jack built—all going back and back. If I hadn't wanted the scholarship I wouldn't have come to Redlands, and if Miss Craigie hadn't had 'flu,' I should have travelled with her, and Noreen wouldn't have ragged me about the Lab, and I shouldn't have found out about the violet handkerchief, and if Gracie had been like she is now, John wouldn't have taught me signalling, and I shouldn't have come back alone, and if Noreen and Gabrielle hadn't been such bricks and waited for me at the reservoir...."
"Yes," interrupted Father, "and if my eldest daughter hadn't been out to keep her promise like an Englishman and take care of Mums, I suppose she wouldn't have fagged for the scholarship, and then there would have been no beginning, middle,—or very glorious end."
THE END
A Bookful of Girls
By
Anna Fuller
With 6 Illustrations. 1 Volume. 12º
Six stories by the clever author of Pratt Portraits—Blythe Halliday's Voyage—Artful Madge—The Ideas of Polly—Nannie's Theatre Party—Olivia's Sun-dial—Bagging a Grandfather.