"Thank you, my sweet," said Emily, accepting the bouquet, "I never saw such a beauty!" She was sitting on a sofa, and her young guests were all standing before her. She observed that little Hugh looked very sulky indeed. "It's extremely unfair," he presently burst out, "they made Swan cut the best flowers in the houses, and they gave them all to Nancy to give, and I haven't got _none_." Barbara whispered to him, trying to soothe his outraged feelings, but he kept her off with his elbow till Emily drew him near, and observed that it was not her birthday, and therefore that one present was surely enough. Barbara replied that Hughie had brought a present, but he was very cross because it was not so pretty as Anastasia's. "Yes, I've brought this," said Hugh, his countenance clearing a little as he opened his small gloved hand, and disclosed a very bright five-shilling piece. "It's not so pretty, though, as Nannie's." "But it will last much longer," said Emily; "and so you meant this for me, my sweet man. I'll take care of it for you, and look at it sometimes till you want to spend it; that will be a very nice present for me, and then you can have it back." "Papa gave it him," said Anastasia; "it's a new one. And may we go now and look at our gardens?" Hugh appeared to be cogitating over Emily's proposal; his little grave face was the image of his father's. "You may if Mrs. Nemily says so," answered Gladys. "You always want to do what Mrs. Nemily pleases, don't you?" "Oh yes," said the sprite, dancing round the room; and off they set into the garden. "And so do we all," said Barbara. Gladys was sitting at Emily's feet now, and had a little covered basket in her hand, which rustled as if it contained some living thing. "Janie and Bertie don't know--none of the little ones know," said Barbara; "we thought we had better not tell them." Emily did not ask what they meant; she thought she knew. It could make no difference now, yet it was inexpressibly sweet and consoling to her. "We only said we were coming to call, and when Janie saw the bouquet she said she should send you a present too." Thereupon the basket was opened, and a small white kitten was placed on Emily's knee. There seemed no part for her to play, but to be passive; she could not let them misunderstand; she knew John had not sent them. "We should be so glad if you came," whispered the one who held her hand. "Oh, Janie," thought Emily, "if you could only see your children now!" "And when Johnnie wrote that, he didn't know it was you," pleaded the other. "My darlings!" said Emily, "you must not say any more; and I have nothing to answer but that I love you all very, very much indeed." "But we want you to love father too."