With some assistance from older heads and hands, he terraced the bank overlooking the river, made steps down to the water's edge, where was a fine spring, and built a small arbor and a spring-house. The new dwelling would be hardly so large as the one they were to leave for it, until an addition should be built, but of more sightly appearance and far more conveniently arranged. Besides it was their own, and who does not know the charm that ownership gives? They were very impatient to get into it; and there was great rejoicing among the children when at last the announcement was made that it was fit for occupancy. It was their father who brought the news into their reading and sewing circle, one bright warm afternoon early in July. "When shall we move, wife?" he asked. "Oh to-night, to-night! please, mother say to-night," cried several little voices. Mrs. Keith laughed. "It is no such quick work, children." "But we might bedin," said Don. "I'll take dis tat and tum back aden for other tings," hugging up a large white and yellow cat that had been a petted member of the household for some months past. "H'm!" said Cyril, "Toy can take his own self; he's got more feet to run with than any of the rest." "And he always runs alongside wherever we goes," put in Fan. "Mother can we help move?" The question was unheard and remained unanswered; for the reason that the older people were talking busily among themselves. "I think we may begin to-morrow," Mrs. Keith was saying; "Celestia Ann is through with her week's washing and ironing, and I'll set her and Mrs. Rood both to cleaning the new house, while we pack up things here." "Oh, goodie, goodie! mother, mayn't we all help!" chorused the children. "We will see, dears; perhaps there may be some little things that you can carry; your own toys you shall carry at any-rate, if you wish. Yes, Stuart, I have had the parlor and one bedroom of the new house cleaned already." "O mother, can't we have this carpet taken up immediately--I mean go to work and take it up--and have it shaken and carried right over there? and perhaps we could get it down this afternoon, you and auntie and I; and have the furniture of that room carried right into it to-morrow morning, the first thing." "A capital idea," her father said; "then we will have one room comfortable there before all are torn up here. Come, children, scamper out of the way! Wife; where's the tack hammer?" "Oh, can't we help?" pleaded the children, "Where shall we go?" "No, not with this. Go anywhere out of the way." The order was obeyed somewhat reluctantly, all going out to the adjoining room. Zillah and Ada stopped there and each took a book; the younger three went up stairs. "Let's pack up our things," said Cyril. "What'll we pack 'em in?" queried Don. "We'll see." The boys got out their stores of marbles, balls, bits of twine, a broken knife or two, a few fish hooks and a set of Jackstraws their father had made for them.