at the seaside or in the country, that at last I screwed up my courage

and spoke to Mr. Torrington about it. He and his brother are going to

Switzerland for a month on account of Mr. Alan's health, which does not

improve. While they are away their rooms are to be thoroughly done up,

so I shall be busy looking after painters and whitewashers, yet I dared

to ask Mr. Torrington if he would mind two little boys coming here for

a fortnight."

"'Nothing venture nothing have' is a good old saying. I am thankful now

that I ventured, for Mr. Torrington took it better than I could have

expected. He does not like boys, and he looked frightened at first, but