They are grown-up now--much more than grown-up. If you met them in the street, if they came to call on your mother some day, you would not guess they were quiet little Maudie and queer-tempered Hoodie. And as for Hec and Duke!--they could jump you up on their great strong shoulders as easily as the ogres they used to be so fond of making up stories about. There is only one thing which, if you heard it said, as it often is, might remind you of the children I have been telling you about. Men and women as they are, separated sometimes by half the world, it has always been remarked of them how much they love each other--brothers and sisters in deed, as well as in name, friends tried and true to each other through all the difficulties and sorrows and troubles which have come to them as to every one else in this world of many colours; of rainy as well as of sunny days--of discouragement and disappointment, but of happiness too--and love through all. Cousin Magdalen's dark hair is beginning to get white now, but still I feel sure you would think her very pretty. Did she ever write out the story that she promised to tell Hoodie and the others some day? By the bye I must not forget to ask her the next time we meet. [Illustration] Books by Mrs. Molesworth PUBLISHED BY W. & R. CHAMBERS, Limited. MEG LANGHOLME; or, The Day after To-morrow. Eight Illustrations by W. Rainey PHILIPPA. Eight Illustrations by J. Finnemore OLIVIA. Eight Illustrations by Robert Barnes BLANCHE. Eight Illustrations by Robert Barnes ROBIN REDBREAST. Six Illustrations by R. Barnes WHITE TURRETS. Four Illustrations by W. Rainey IMOGEN; or, Only Eighteen. Four Illustrations by H. A. Bone THE NEXT-DOOR HOUSE. Six Illustrations by W. Hatherell THE GREEN CASKET, AND OTHER STORIES. Illustrated THE BEWITCHED LAMP. Frontispiece by R. Barnes NESTA; or, Fragments of a Little Life W. & R. CHAMBERS, LTD., LONDON AND EDINBURGH.