Just as her father reached home, Eliza came from the Vicarage to spend an hour or two with him.
"This is your day, daddy, and Monday is to be Fanny's day," said the girl. "I am going to have another holiday on Monday, so that I may see everybody, and Fanny is to come on Monday."
"My bonnie lassie! Why, you look almost as well as Fanny herself," exclaimed Brown, holding his girl at arm's length to admire her.
"I shall know whether I have really grown, as people say I have, when Fanny comes, and I can stand at the side of her. I know just where my head used to reach when she was at home," said Eliza, with flashing eyes.
"Why, I declare you are growing like Fanny, my girl," said her father.
"I hope not," said Jack, quickly; "one Fanny is enough in the family. Have you seen anything of her this week, mother?" he asked.
Mrs. Brown shook her head. "I have been waiting for Eliza to come home, that I might have something to write about," she said.
"You have written now, haven't you, mother?" said Brown.
"Yes; but I am afraid she won't get the letter until Monday morning. Selina was rather late in posting it."
"Oh, mother! I hope it won't be too late for her to come out on Monday," said Eliza. "You see, I am to begin the regular nursery work next week, and I shall not have a holiday for a month, so that it will be a pity if she comes another day, when I can't see her."