murmuring that she was gone, gone, bonne fille!

[Illustration: UNHAPPY.]

"'Well, you know, I must not make my letter too long. Tell Susette that
things look brighter now in her old home; that Pierre has found some
work in our garden, and his sister comes now and then to your aunt's
house; and that we will look after them a little, and send you more news
soon.

"'Mamma sends ever so much love, and many, many thanks to dear
grandmamma for offering to house her tiresome chicks for a few more
months. What a grand, happy Christmas we will have together! That is, if
only I can get mamma well enough to brave an English winter. Poor mamma
wants sadly to get a sight of her baby.--Ever your affectionate

"'FATHER.'"

That was the letter, reader. Don't you think it was well worth waiting
for?




X.

_AUTUMN DAYS._


"What an idea, papa talking about Christmas!" Alick said, when we came