approached. "Aren't they magnificent?"

Her eyes sparkled with pleasure as she pointed to the heavy clusters
of dark-green pods, hanging amid leaves and scarlet bloom.

"Splendid crop!" exclaimed Will, with answering enthusiasm.

"Doesn't the scent do one good?" went on his sister. "When I come
into the garden on a morning like this, I have a feeling--oh, I
can't describe it to you--perhaps you wouldn't understand--"

"I know," said Will, nodding.

"It's as if nature were calling out to me, like a friend, to come
and admire and enjoy what she has done. I feel grateful for the
things that earth offers me."

Not often did Jane speak like this; as a rule she was anything but
effusive or poetical. But a peculiar animation shone in her looks
this morning, and sounded in her voice. Very soon the reason was
manifest; she began to speak of the Applegarth business, and
declared her great satisfaction with it.

"There'll be an end of mother's worry," she said, "and I can't tell
you how glad I shall be. It seems to me that women oughtn't to have
to think about money, and mother hates the name of it; she always
has done. Oh, what a blessing when it's all off our hands! We
shouldn't care, even if the new arrangement brought us less."

"And it is certain to bring you more," remarked Will, "perhaps