"I sink it's very naughty to wish like that!" A tiny, reed-like voice burst into the conversation with an unexpectedness which made the three sisters start in their seats; a small figure in a white pinafore crept forward into the firelight, and raised a pair of reproachful eyes to Norah's face. "I sink it's very naughty to wish like that, 'cause it's discontented, and you don't know what it might be like. Pr'aps the house might be burned, or the walls fall down, or you might all be ill and dead yourselves, and _then_ you wouldn't like it!" The three girls looked at each other, undecided between laughter and remorse. "Mouse!" said Hilary, severely, "what are you doing here? Little girls have no business to listen to what big people are saying. You must never sit here again without letting us know, or that will be naughty too. We don't mean to be discontented, Mouse. We felt rather low in our spirits, and were relieving ourselves by a little grumble, that's all. Of course, we know that we have really many, many things to be thankful for--a nice house, and--ah--garden, and such beautiful country all round, and--ah--good health, and--" "And the bunnies, and the pigeons, and the new carpet in the dining- room, and because the puppy didn't die--and--and--_Me_!" said the Mouse, severely; and when her sisters burst into a roar of laughter she proceeded to justify herself with indignant protest. "Well, it's the trufh! The bunnies _are_ pretty, and you said, `Thank goodness! we've got a respectable carpet at last!' And Lettice cried when the little pup rolled its eyes and squealed, and you said to Miss Briggs that I was only five, and if I _was_ spoiled she couldn't wonder, 'cause I was the littlest of seven, and no one could help it! And it's `Happy New Year' and plum pudding for dinner, so I don't sink you ought to be discontented!" "You are quite right, dear, it's very naughty of us. Just run upstairs to the schoolroom, and get tidy for tea, there's a good little Mouse. Shut the door behind you, for there's a fearful draught." Hilary nodded to the child over her shoulder, and then turned to her sisters with an expressive shrug. "What a funny little mite she is! We really must be careful how we speak before her. She understands far too well, and she has such stern ideas of her own. Well, perhaps after all we are wrong to be discontented. I hated coming to live in this quiet place, but I have been ever so much stronger; I never have that wretched, breathless feeling now that I had in town, and I can run upstairs to the very top without stopping. You can't enjoy anything without health, so I ought to be--I am!--very thankful that I am so much better."