“I was in the kitchen-garden just now,” said Jane, sobbing, “and Ada came along the other side of the wall, and Mr. Redfern was walking with her. She did not see me, neither did he, and I did not stay a minute; but I am quite sure from the way he was speaking that he had been asking her to marry him, and she—oh, I don’t believe she said she wouldn’t!” Mrs. Oldham could hardly help laughing, but managed to refrain. “But, my dear, why should she say she would not? Mr. Redfern is very nice and so are all his family. I have known them for some time. I always thought dear Ada just suited to become a clergyman’s wife. He has a nice little private income of his own, so there will be no need for a long engagement, which is always rather trying, I think. You, poor thing, of course, you feel the idea of losing both Ada and Marion Thomas, but we shall look after you. Uncle and I will arrange something nice. Don’t be afraid that we shall let you live in a boarding-house by yourself,” and she patted Jane’s hands and dried her eyes and kissed her. In the course of a day or two her uncle called her into the study, an old wainscoted room that looked on to the kitchen-garden. He made her sit down in the rocking-chair while he discussed the plan that he and Mrs. Oldham had contrived. “I have been wanting to have cooking taught in my schools for some time,” he began; “but there was a difficulty about getting a teacher. At last I have got four or five other villages to join with me, and by using the old brewhouse as a kitchen and making our village the centre, I think we shall manage very well. We shall be quite ready to begin at Christmas. You will live here. Of course, we shall be delighted to have you, whereas there would have been a difficulty about putting up a stranger. You will not earn quite as much as you earned in town, but on the other hand your expenses will be very much less, as you will have no boarding expenses to pay.” Jane was overjoyed at this arrangement, and after thanking the kind rector warmly, flew to tell Ada, who was most thankful to hear of it, for Jane’s future had been weighing on her mind ever since her own engagement. “Of course, you will always spend your holidays with us, darling,” she said, and in this she was warmly seconded by Mr. Redfern. So Jane recovered her spirits, and lest the household should think her a “Niobe—all tears,” turned her interest with energy to the housekeeping, and at Mrs. Oldham’s request arranged the meals for a week, choosing all the dishes and helping to prepare several herself. Here is the list of dinners. She said she found it a most delightful change not to have to be very economical over the eggs. _Sunday._ Jardinière Soup. Braised Leg of Mutton (cold). Salad. Plum Tart. Curd Cheesecakes. _Monday._ Hash in Piquante Sauce. Boiled Chicken and Cucumber Sauce. Curd Cheesecakes. Rice Pudding. _Tuesday._