he and Rose are going to get married? I was so surprised. Do you like
it, Elsie? and shall you call her mamma?"

"Oh, yes, of course. I should be quite wretched if papa were going to
marry any one else; but I love Miss Rose dearly, and I am very glad
she is coming to us. I think it is very good of her, and papa thinks
so too."

"Yes," replied Sophy honestly, "and so do I; for I am sure I shouldn't
like to leave papa and mamma and go away off there to live, though I
do like you very much, Elsie, and your papa too. Only think! he is
going to be my brother; and then won't you be some sort of relation
too? I guess I'll be your aunt, won't I?"

"I don't know; I haven't thought about it," said Elsie; while at the
same instant Harold put his head in at the half-open door, saying, "Of
course you will; and I'll be her uncle."

The little girls were quite startled at first, but seeing who it was,
Elsie ran towards him, holding out her hand.

"How do you do, Harold?" she said; "I am glad to see you."

He had his satchel of books on his arm. "Thank you, how are you? I
am rejoiced to see you looking so well, but, as for me, I am quite
sick--of lessons," he replied in a melancholy tone, and putting on a
comically doleful expression.

Elsie laughed and shook her head. "I thought you ware a good boy and
quite fond of your books."