“Not so very strange,” remarked Edward, with unmoved countenance, “for they don’t teach fence-making in ordinary schools.”

“Vell, den, de more’s de bity,” returned John, taking his departure.  But turning back at the door to say to Miss Stanhope, “I vill put dose gooses in von safe place.”

“Any place where they can do no mischief, John,” she answered, good-humoredly.

“Now, Aunt Wealthy,” said Annis, “what can we do to make this wonderful day pass most happily to you?”

“Whatever will be most enjoyable to my guests,” was the smiling reply.  “An old body like me can ask nothing better than to sit and look on and listen.”

“Ah, but we would have you talk, too, auntie, when you don’t find it wearisome!”

“What are you going to do with all your new treasures, Aunt Wealthy?” asked Edward; “don’t you want your pictures hung and a place found for each vase and other household ornament?”

“Certainly,” she said, with a pleased look, “and this is the very time, while I have you all here to give your opinions and advice.”

“And help,” added Edward, “if you will accept it.  As I am tall and strong, I volunteer to hang the pictures after the place for each has been duly considered and decided upon.”

His offer was promptly accepted, and the work entered upon in a spirit of fun and frolic, which made it enjoyable to all.

Whatever the others decided upon met with Miss Stanhope’s approval; she watched their proceedings with keen interest, and was greatly delighted with the effect of their labors.

“My dears,” she said, “you have made my house so beautiful! and whenever I look at these lovely things my thoughts will be full of the dear givers.  I shall not be here long, but while I stay my happiness will be the greater because of your kindness,”

“And the remembrance of these words of yours, dear aunt, will add to ours,” said Mr. Keith, with feeling.

“But old as you are, Aunt Wealthy,” remarked Mr. Dinsmore, “it is quite possible that some of us may reach home before you.  It matters little, however, as we are all travelling the same road to the same happy country, being children of one Father, servants of the same blessed Master.”

“And He shall choose all our changes for us,” she said, “calling each one home at such time as He sees best.  Ah, it is sweet to leave all our interests in His dear hands, and have Him choose our inheritance for us!”

There was a pause in the conversation, while Miss Stanhope seemed lost in thought.  Then Mrs. Keith remarked: 

“You look weary, dear Aunt Wealthy; will you not lie down and rest for a little?”

“Yes,” she said, “I shall take it as the privilege of age, leaving you all to entertain yourselves and each other for a time.”

At that Mr. Dinsmore hastened to give her his arm and support her to her bedroom, his wife and Mrs. Keith following to see her comfortably established upon a couch, where they left her to take her rest.