So when the dame and her grandchildren, with many and many expressions of gratitude, took their leave--though, by the bye, I must not forget to tell you that what brought the poor things' pleasure to the _highest_ height was Michael's telling them that he would expect them at the same hour and in the same way the following Sunday, "and every Sunday, so long as my pot-luck continues to suit you," he added--well then, as soon as the three had left he re-entered the cottage with his cousins and carefully closing the door, rang the fairy bell for the invisible attendants to remove the table. It disappeared as it had come, obediently to his summons. Then Hodge and Giles turned to him. "The luck's with you, Mike, no doubt about it," they said, but without any ill-will, it must be allowed. "Let's count it as belonging to us all," said hospitable Michael. "It shall be a fixed rule that you two dine with me every Sunday, same as to-day. And as long as the good people favour us as they've done this time, the least _we_ can do is to let those who are less well off than we, share in our prosperity. I've a feeling that it's what old Uncle Peter would wish." "That's why you mean to have the dame and her boy and girl every Sunday?" said Hodge. "Well, for my part I wouldn't take upon me to object. They're nice-mannered children, and the dame's an old friend. And there was enough and to spare." Giles was looking very thoughtful. "Yes, indeed," he exclaimed. "It's the right thing to do, and, as you say, it's following after our kind old godfather. I say, Mike," he went on, "maybe--I shouldn't be very surprised if that's how you've hit the nail on the head--eh, what do you think of that?" Michael stared. Such an idea had never occurred to him, and indeed he scarcely understood what Giles meant. He thought of it afterwards, however. Then his cousins left him, and he began to wish he could manage to see Ysenda to tell her the good news. "She'll be as pleased as I am myself," he thought, "as pleased as if the good luck had been her own. And after all, it's thanks to her I persevered. By the bye, I wonder what I should do with that nice piece of meat she brought me, to fall back upon in case of need. I shouldn't keep it--maybe she'd like me to take it to the dame. I'll just have a look at it." He turned to the cupboard--it was a sort of larder with a wired opening to the fresh air, which he had arranged himself, for he was very neat-handed. But when he drew back the door, he started with surprise. He could scarcely believe his eyes, and rubbed them hard to make sure he was not dreaming! For there, neatly placed on the shelves, was not only kind Ysenda's gift, but all the remains of the dinner--cold duck, pork pie, plum-pudding, sauces, vegetables, fruit! almost as tempting a sight as had been the viands on their first appearance, so daintily were they all arranged, so clean and bright were the china and glass. Michael really laughed with pleasure.