"It is all right," said Miss Charlotte consolingly. "I sent her a telegram last evening, after you came. She knew before Poppy went to bed. Ephraim took it to Gorley for me. Oh, you don't know Ephraim yet, do you? He is our handyman. He attends to the garden, and the poultry, and does all kinds of useful things. But, of course, you want to hear about your mother, more than about Ephraim. Well, dears, I cannot tell you much, for I have broken my glasses and cannot read very well. I was waiting for Esther to come home and be my eyes for me for once. I did make out, though, that she is very busy, and leaves Framley to-morrow. No, dear," to Esther, "I won't ask you to read it now. We will wait till you have had your lunch. I expect you are all hungry, and there is no great hurry." Their milk and biscuits disposed of, Penelope and the two younger ones sauntered away to the garden. Esther waited. Miss Charlotte took Mrs. Carroll's letter from a little pile, and handed it to her. Esther, who was burning with impatience to know if her mother wrote of those things that were troubling her, began to read at once: "DEAREST COUSIN CHARLOTTE, "It is _more_ than good of you to have my four poor children and give them a _home_. They will be as _happy_ as possible with you, I _know_. I expect by this time they have reached you. To come to the _business_ part of our plan, which I know _you dislike_ as much as _I_ do, I am _very_ thankful you can keep them, clothe and educate them, for the hundred and fifty pounds a year. Their clothes need cost but _very little_; after all, it does not much matter what _children_ wear in a country place." "I have my friends here," Miss Charlotte was thinking, "and I cannot let my little cousins run about dressed like little tramps." "While as for their _education_, we need only think of Esther and Penelope _yet_, and theirs must be of the _simplest_; it matters so much _less_ for_ girls_ than for _boys_." "Oh dear, oh dear," thought Miss Charlotte, "what a mistaken notion!" "Ronald _hopes_ to send more when the children are a little older. Oh, this _dreadful_ want of money! I have been nearly _distracted_ to know what to do. _Do_ you mind, dear Cousin Charlotte, if I do not send you the cheque for this quarter till later on, but keep it for my own needs, which are _so_ urgent? I _have_ to get _so_ much for my outfit, and so _many_ things besides, I find I have not nearly enough money for it all. I _hope_ you do not mind. I am up to _my eyes_ in work, turning out the house and packing; and to-morrow I go to stay with friends in the North. I think the change will _brace_ me up for the journey; _I sadly need_ it. "My love to the chicks and to yourself. "Your affectionate cousin," "MAUDE CARROLL."