“I’ve suspected it for some years,” remarked Helen, laughing. “What has she done now?”
“Listen! It sounds too splendid to be true.
“ ‘My dear Jean and Jo,—
“ ‘Your letter has relieved my mind of a very pressing problem. Of course, I understand that you wrote without referring to your parents, but I hope that when they realize how much Mr. Forester and I would value the arrangement they will not refuse their consent. We shall be delighted to leave Rex with you; I trust you won’t find him a great nuisance—he has had rather too much of his own way lately, and needs a firm hand.
“ ‘When I hear from your mother I will write more fully about him. Just now, I would like to arrange the business side with you girls—we wish to pay at the rate of £150 a year for the privilege of leaving Rex with you all. And I am making so certain that Mr. and Mrs. Weston won’t refuse that I have ceased making inquiries for a governess or any other way of arranging for him.
“ ‘Will you tell your mother that while we are deeply sorry that hard times should come to our old friends, we find it hard not to feel a selfish gladness that they make possible an arrangement which ensures such a home for our small boy?
“ ‘Yours very sincerely,
“ ‘Elaine Forester.’
“So there!” said Jo. “Isn’t it scrumptious!”
“But—a hundred and fifty pounds!” ejaculated Jean. “It isn’t worth it—three pounds a week for a bit of a shrimp like that!”