how ester laughed! then she came to the...

How Ester laughed! Then she came to therescue. "Done-of course they are, and beauti-fully, too. Did you make them? Here, I 'ltake them out. Sadie, where is mother ?"

" In Mr. Holland's room. She has been therenearly all day. Mr. Holland is no better, andMaggie has gone on an errand for them. Whyhave you come ? Did the fairies send you ?"

"And where are the children ?""They have gone to walk. Minie wanted

mother every other minute, so Alfred and Juliahave carried her off with them. S'ay, you dearEster, how did you happen to come? Howshall I be glad enough to see you ?"

Ester laughed. "Then I can't see. any ofthem," she said by way of answer. " Nevermind, then we'll have some tea. You poorchild, how very tired you look. Just seat your-self in that chair, and see if I have forgottenhow to work."

And Sadie, who was thoroughly tired, andmore nervous than she had any idea she couldbe, leaned luxuriously back in her mother'schair, with a delicious sense of unresponsibilityabout her, and watched a magic spell come oi erthe room. Down came the shades in a twink-ling, and thelow red sun looked in on them nomore; the table-cloth straightened itself; pick-les and cheese and cake got out of their con-