"What? Who is the letter from?" said Charity.
"The letter is from Mrs. Wishart, but that does not tell you anything."
"O, if it is from Mrs. Wishart, I suppose the news only concerns you," said Madge, setting down her plate.
"Mistaken!" cried Lois. "It concerns us all. Madge, don't go off. It is such a big piece of news that I do not know how to begin to give it to you; it seems as if every side of it was too big to take hold of for a handle. Mother, listen, for it concerns you specially."
"I hear, child." And Mrs. Armadale looked interested and curious.
"It's delightful to have you all looking like that," said Lois, "and to know it's not for nothing. You'll look more 'like that' when I've told you—if ever I can begin."
"My dear, you are quite excited," said the old lady.
"Yes, grandmother, a little. It's so seldom that anything happens, here."
"The days are very good, when nothing happens. I think," said the old lady softly.
"And now something has really happened—for once. Prick up your ears,
Charity! Ah, I see they are pricked up already," Lois went on merrily.
"Now listen. This letter is from Mrs. Wishart."