180 “ CARROTS.”

forgotten us, and we're so far away from
mamma!”

- Auntie understood all about it in a moment.
She hugged Floss tight, and only let go of her
for an instant to get hold of Carrots and hug
him tight too. And then, when she saw the
two tired little white faces, and felt how wet
they were, and saw the tears on Floss’s cheeks,
she sat down on the hall floor, still clasping
them tight, and actually cried too.

“My two poor dear little babes in the
wood!” she exclaimed. “What a dreadful
mistake! What a cruel auntie you must have
thought me!” -

“I didn’t know if you wanted us; I thought
perhaps you had forgotten about us coming,”
whispered Floss.

«No wonder!’ said auntie; “but, Flossie
darling, I haven’t got any letter to say what
day you were coming. That was why we
were not at the station. Sybil and I had been
making such delightful plans about how we
should meet you at the station. Do you think