I found some jacks but no ball, so I thought I would go down to a near-by shop, and buy one.  I slipped down and out, before I had time to think about mother making me promise not to go anywhere alone.  I turned a corner or two, but didn’t find the right kind of a shop.  It was cloudy, and sort of foggy, and crowds and crowds of people were pushing along.  I knew all at once that I was lost, and I began to feel a lump in my throat, bigger than any ball you ever saw, and just then I saw a tall man coming towards me.  I saw only his legs, but they looked so Americanish that I rushed up, and said, ’Please take me to the L——­ Hotel,’ He stopped at once and said, ’Well, I certainly will; I am going there myself.’  He was a minister from New York.  He laughed when I told him about the jacks, and then he talked to me in such a nice way about going out alone, that it made a great impression on me.  I found mother and nurse in such a state when I got back.  I was kissed and then put to bed to eat my supper, but the minister came to call in the evening, and when I had promised never to do such a thing again, they let me get up.  He was so nice, and brought me a ball.  I play jacks every day now, and think of America and nice ’things like that.  I shall be glad to get there again.

     “Yours truly,

     “GLADYS.

     “P.S.—­I can probably beat you at jacks when I get back, I practice
     so much.”

“I’ll get mine out to-day,” said Ethelwyn, “and we’ll see whether she can or not.  When will she come home, mother?”

But mother was reading Aunty Stevens’s letter, and did not hear.

“The Home is getting on beautifully,” she said presently.  “There are ten pale little children out there now.  Dick is quite well and strong again, and helps with the work in every way.  They are very anxious that we shall come on this summer.”

“O let’s; for my birthday,” said Ethelwyn.  “Can’t we, mother?”

“I will see.  But Grandmother Van Stark would like one of you to come out and stay with her for a few days.  Peter is coming in this afternoon and will take one of you out.”

“O me!” they cried at once.

“Let’s pull straws,” suggested Ethelwyn; so she ran to find the broom.  It was she who drew the longest straw, and Beth drew a long breath, saying with cheerful philosophy, “Well, I am thankful not to leave mother.  I’d prob’ly cry in the night, and worry dear grandmother.”  So every one was satisfied, and Ethelwyn, dimpling delightfully under her broad white pique hat, bade them good-bye, and took her place beside Peter in the roomy old phaeton.

“Are you any relation of St. Peter’s?” she asked politely, after they were well on the way.

“Nobody ever thought so,” said Peter, looking down at her with a twinkle in his eye.

“Well, I didn’t know,” she said.  “I thought I’d like to ask you some questions about him if you were.  We have had a good deal about him at Sunday-school lately.  I’m studying my lessons nowadays for a prize; they are going to give a sacrilegious picture to the child that knows her verses the best by Easter, and I think maybe I’ll get it, for I’m only about next to the worst now.”