"I've tired myself to-day," he presently remarked; "I've been house-hunting. Jones has decided to buy the business, and take it on at Christmas, so we shall have to turn-out of here then."
"Oh, I am glad!" she exclaimed involuntarily.
"I don't think I'm sorry myself. The fact is, I'm getting past work, and things worry me now that I used to take as matters of course. By the way, you heard from Cousin Eliza this morning. Did she tell you how John Monday was behaving?"
"Yes. She says he is doing well."
"I am glad to hear it. Mr. Bradley must be told that, for he takes an interest in the boy."
"Does he know John is with Uncle Dick?" Mousey inquired.
"Yes. I gave him the information one day when he called to ask if I had had any news of 'the poor, misguided lad,' as he called him."
The little girl was surprised to hear this, but she asked no further questions.
"I saw a small house to-day that I thought might suit us," Mr. Harding informed her. "It is not far from where the Thomas' live. I dare say you may have noticed it—it stands in its own grounds, and has a pretty summer-house in one corner of the front garden."
"You don't mean Homeleigh, do you?" Mousey said, feeling quite astounded at the idea of such a possibility, for she knew the little dwelling well by sight, and had admired it often. "Oh, Cousin Robert, you can't mean Homeleigh!"