In the course of a day or two her uncle called her into the study, an old wainscoted room that looked on to the kitchen-garden. He made her sit down in the rocking-chair while he discussed the plan that he and Mrs. Oldham had contrived.

“I have been wanting to have cooking taught in my schools for some time,” he began; “but there was a difficulty about getting a teacher. At last I have got four or five other villages to join with me, and by using the old brewhouse as a kitchen and making our village the centre, I think we shall manage very well. We shall be quite ready to begin at Christmas. You will live here. Of course, we shall be delighted to have you, whereas there would have been a difficulty about putting up a stranger. You will not earn quite as much as you earned in town, but on the other hand your expenses will be very much less, as you will have no boarding expenses to pay.”

Jane was overjoyed at this arrangement, and after thanking the kind rector warmly, flew to tell Ada, who was most thankful to hear of it, for Jane’s future had been weighing on her mind ever since her own engagement.

“Of course, you will always spend your holidays with us, darling,” she said, and in this she was warmly seconded by Mr. Redfern.

So Jane recovered her spirits, and lest the household should think her a “Niobe—all tears,” turned her interest with energy to the housekeeping, and at Mrs. Oldham’s request arranged the meals for a week, choosing all the dishes and helping to prepare several herself. Here is the list of dinners. She said she found it a most delightful change not to have to be very economical over the eggs.

Sunday.

Monday.

Tuesday.