feel rather down-hearted, and then she continued her walk.

"It is very difficult to know what to do," she said to herself--"it
makes one feel quite old and careworn. If only that brother who was
lost long ago was now living, how nice it would be for us girls. I
wonder if he is really dead--I suppose he is, or mamma would have
heard something about him. Twenty years ago since it happened--longer
than my whole life. Poor mother! poor, dear mother! what she must have
suffered! I understand now why her pretty sweet face looked so sad,
and why her hair was grey before her time. What a pity my brother has
not lived--he certainly would not wish us girls to be parted."

Primrose walked on a little farther, then she retraced her steps and
went home. She found Jasmine and Daisy in a state of the greatest
excitement. Mrs. Ellsworthy had called, and had been nicer and sweeter
and more charming than ever--she had brought Daisy a doll of the most
perfect description, and had presented the flower-loving Jasmine with
a great bouquet of exotics, which looked almost out of place in the
humble little cottage.

"And there is a long letter for you, Primrose," continued Jasmine;
"and she says she hopes you will read it very quickly, and that she
may come down to-morrow morning to talk it over with you. She says
there is a plan in the letter, and that it is a delightful plan--I
wonder what it can be? Will you read the letter now, Primrose?--shall
I break the seal and read it aloud to you?"

"No," answered Primrose, almost shortly for her--"Mrs. Ellsworthy's
letter can keep," and then she slipped the thick white envelope into
her pocket.