Mrs. Asplin dropped the letter on the floor and turned to confront her husband. "Well!" "Well?" "It is your affair, dear, not mine. You would have the trouble. Could you do with an extra child in the house?" "Yes, yes, so far as that goes. The more the merrier. I should like to help Arthur's mother, but----" Mrs. Asplin leant her head on one side, and put on what her children described as her "ways and means" expression. She was saying to herself, clear out the box room over the study. Spare chest of drawers from dressing-room--cover a box with one of the old chintz curtains for an ottoman--enamel the old blue furniture--new carpet and bedstead, say five or six pounds outlay--yes! I think I could make it pretty for five pounds. The calculations lasted for about two minutes, at the end of which time her brow cleared, she nodded brightly, and said in a crisp, decisive tone, "Yes, we will take her. Arthur's throat was delicate too. She must use my gargle." The vicar laughed softly. "Ah! I thought that would decide it. I knew your soft heart would not be able to resist the thought of that delicate throat! Well, dear, if you are willing, so am I. I am glad to make hay while the sun shines, and lay by a little provision for the children. How will they take it, do you think? They are accustomed to strange boys, but a girl will be a new experience. She will come at once, I suppose, and settle down to work for the autumn. Dear me! dear me? It is the unexpected that happens. I hope she is a nice child." "Of course she is. She is Arthur's sister. Come! the young folks are in the study. Let us go and tell them the news. I have always said it was my ambition to have half-a-dozen children, and now, at last, it is going to be gratified." Mrs. Asplin thrust her hand through her husband's arm, and led him out of the room, down the wide flagged hall, towards the distant room whence the sound of merry young voices fell pleasantly on the ear. (_To be continued._) [Illustration: OUR PUZZLE POEM REPORT: "PREPOSITIONS."] SOLUTION. PREPOSITIONS. A preposition is a word Which other words with nouns relates, And as its name denotes is heard Before the noun it dominates. The noun, poor thing, objects in case, And this may partly be because It much dislikes the minor place Assigned to it by grammar's laws. But if you take away its noun, The preposition's altered quite, Into an adverb has it grown Which puts things in a diff'rent light. For now this lordly part of speech Which erstwhile governed, needs must be Slave to a verb, and this should teach A lesson in humility. PRIZE WINNERS _Ten Shillings Each._