hours do seem very long. Flurry must spare you to me after the
morning, and we will have nice quiet times together."

So I took possession of the little room next hers, and put away the
few necessaries that mother had sent me, with a little picture of
Dot, that he had drawn for me; but I little thought that afternoon
that it would be a whole month before I left it.

I am afraid that long visit spoiled me a little; it was so pleasant
resuming some of the old luxuries. Instead of the cold bare room
where Jack and I slept, for, in spite of all our efforts, it did look
bare in the winter, I found a bright fire burning in my cozy little
chamber, and casting warm ruddy gleams over the white china tiles;
the wax candles stood ready for lighting on the toilet table; my
dressing gown was aging in company with my slippers; everything so
snug and essential to comfort, to the very eider-down quilt that
looked so tempting.

Then in the morning, just to dress myself and go down to the
pleasant dining-room, with the great logs spluttering out a bright
welcome, and the breakfast table loaded with many a dainty. No
shivering Dot to coerce into good humor; no feckless Jack to frown
into order; no grim Deborah to coax and help. Was it very wicked that
I felt all this a relief? Then how deliciously the days passed; the
few lessons with Flurry, more play than work; the inspiriting ramble
ending generally with a peep at mother and Dot!

The cozy luncheons, at which Flurry and I made our dinners, where
Flurry sat in state at the bottom of the table and carved the
pudding, and gave herself small airs of consequence, and then the