Five hundred thousand more,’”
replied Elfie, singing and dancing out of the room.
In two or three days they did know. It was one morning after breakfast.
Major Fielding had walked out for the first time since he was wounded.
Miss Conyers had just dropped in for a morning call.
Erminie, Elfie, Britomarte and Lieutenant Ethel were assembled in the drawing-room, discussing the one great topic of the day, the very last battle, when there came a ring at the bell, followed by the entrance of Uncle Bob, bringing a large, formidable-looking letter, and gazing around in perplexity, as doubting to whom to deliver it.
“Penny pos’, Miss,” he said at length, appealing to the young mistress of the house.
But Elfie sprang up and darted past every one, and seized the letter, exclaiming:
“It is for me!”
“For you, Elfie? That letter!” said Erminie, in incredulous surprise.