"Well, Miss Primrose, I'm off to-morrow," said Poppy, dropping one of her quick curtseys, and a more vivid red than usual coming into her bright cheeks. "Yes, Poppy," answered Primrose; "I hope you will be very happy in London"--then a sudden thought occurring to her, she ran after the young girl and laid her hand on her shoulder. "Poppy, give me your London address--I may want it." "Oh law! Miss Primrose, do you think you'd be saving out of the thirty pounds regular income and coming up to London on a visit?" "We may come to London, Poppy--I can't say," answered Primrose in a sad voice--"anyhow, I should like to have your address--may I have it?" "Surely, miss--aunt lives in a part they call central--she says the rents are very high, but it's all done for the convenience of the beautiful ladies who boards with her. Aunt's address is Penelope Mansion--Wright Street, off the Edgware Road. It's a beautiful sounding address, isn't it, Miss Primrose?" Primrose smiled again--a smile, however, which made poor little Poppy feel rather down-hearted, and then she continued her walk. "It is very difficult to know what to do," she said to herself--"it makes one feel quite old and careworn. If only that brother who was lost long ago was now living, how nice it would be for us girls. I wonder if he is really dead--I suppose he is, or mamma would have heard something about him. Twenty years ago since it happened--longer than my whole life. Poor mother! poor, dear mother! what she must have suffered! I understand now why her pretty sweet face looked so sad, and why her hair was grey before her time. What a pity my brother has not lived--he certainly would not wish us girls to be parted." Primrose walked on a little farther, then she retraced her steps and went home. She found Jasmine and Daisy in a state of the greatest excitement. Mrs. Ellsworthy had called, and had been nicer and sweeter and more charming than ever--she had brought Daisy a doll of the most perfect description, and had presented the flower-loving Jasmine with a great bouquet of exotics, which looked almost out of place in the humble little cottage. "And there is a long letter for you, Primrose," continued Jasmine; "and she says she hopes you will read it very quickly, and that she may come down to-morrow morning to talk it over with you. She says there is a plan in the letter, and that it is a delightful plan--I wonder what it can be? Will you read the letter now, Primrose?--shall I break the seal and read it aloud to you?" "No," answered Primrose, almost shortly for her--"Mrs. Ellsworthy's letter can keep," and then she slipped the thick white envelope into her pocket. "Why sister darling, how pale you look!--are you tired?" "A little," said Primrose--"I had no dinner--I should like a cup of tea." Jasmine flew out of the room to get it for her, and Daisy nestled up to her elder sister's side.