But the little darling might have broken her neck.'

'Oh! life in a large family is made up of _might haves_,' said Alda.

'Why, I do declare there's a smaller still! What a little duck!' and
she pounced upon Angela.

'We have a smaller than that, said Wilmet--'Bernard, only we left him
at home.'

'Tell me all your names!' cried Marilda, delighted.

She was perfectly happy, and chattered on in great delight in her
downright voice, as much at ease as if she had known them all her
life. She shared their tea, and wanted Mr. Underwood to come and see
her father at the house; but as she could not promise his early
return, and it was necessary to get the van under weigh before five,
this could not be.

However, she would not leave them till they were all packed into the
van, and then only parted with repeated kisses and auguries of many
future meetings; so that the children looked down a vista of
unlimited enjoyment of Gentry Park. Edgar, little gentleman as he
was, saw her as far back on the way as he could venture.




CHAPTER III