"Well, at any rate," said Iris, "_I'd_ better not go," and she sighed. "That would be a pity, indeed," said her mother; "and I should be sorry to refuse your godmother's kind offer for many reasons. And though I sha'n't see all the beautiful things at Paradise Court, I shall have pleasure, too, while you are there, because I shall know you are enjoying them." "How I wish we could all have them!" said Iris. "And yet there's something here in Albert Street," said her mother, "which I've got, and you've got, and even Dottie and Susie have too, which is worth more, and costs more, and does more good than all those things, and which no one could buy, if he were the richest man in the world." At another time Iris would have paid attention to what her mother said; but now, although she heard the words, her mind was too full of Paradise Court to make any attempt to think of their meaning. She could only say to herself that she was to go quite away from Albert Street for a whole month--away from the noise and worry, and needlework and ugliness, to a place where birds sang, and flowers bloomed, and one might be idle all the day long. STORY THREE, CHAPTER 2. PARADISE COURT. "No price is set on the lavish summer, June may be had by the poorest comer."--_Lowell_. Paradise Court, where Mrs Fotheringham lived, was not very far from a small country town. Far enough, however, and sufficiently surrounded by its own garden and meadows, to prevent any vulgar sounds of toil and traffic from penetrating to it.