done in the forenoon, that we might have an afternoon of
uninterrupted enjoyment. A taffy-pull after dinner and then a
jolly hour of coasting on the hill field before supper were on our
programme. But disappointment was our portion. We did manage to
get the taffy made but before we could sample the result
satisfactorily, and just as the girls were finishing with the
washing of the dishes, Felicity glanced out of the window and
exclaimed in tones of dismay,

"Oh, dear me, here's Great-aunt Eliza coming up the lane! Now,
isn't that too mean?"

We all looked out to see a tall, gray-haired lady approaching the
house, looking about her with the slightly puzzled air of a
stranger. We had been expecting Great-aunt Eliza's advent for
some weeks, for she was visiting relatives in Markdale. We knew
she was liable to pounce down on us any time, being one of those
delightful folk who like to "surprise" people, but we had never
thought of her coming that particular day. It must be confessed
that we did not look forward to her visit with any pleasure. None
of us had ever seen her, but we knew she was very deaf, and had
very decided opinions as to the way in which children should
behave.

"Whew!" whistled Dan. "We're in for a jolly afternoon. She's
deaf as a post and we'll have to split our throats to make her
hear at all. I've a notion to skin out."

"Oh, don't talk like that, Dan," said Cecily reproachfully.
"She's old and lonely and has had a great deal of trouble. She