A GARRET ADVENTURE 221

while the rest followed. “We ’ll have her full in less than
no time.”

. . . . . . . . . . .

“Vliza!” said Grandma, “do hear the tramping. What
on earth can those children be doing ?”

“Oh,” laughed Mrs. Brant, “they ’re playing some game
or other. Betsey ‘ll look after them. She’s busy up-stairs,
for I hear the water running.”

“Tt ’s mighty queer,” said Ned, dashing in a pailful, as
Ruth emptied her crock for the twentieth time—*“ mighty
queer how long it takes the thing to fill—but keep on,
fellows. Don’t stop!”

In a few moments the street door opened, and in came
Mr. Brant. He went at once up to the sewing-room.

“How d’ ye do, how @’ ye do?” said he cheerily, kissing
Mis. Brant and his mother. “ Well, this 7s a busy party-—
put up your work, my dear, and come up to the library—
I’ve something to tell you and Mother. Ho! ho! here ’s
baby awake. Well, we must take him up, too.”

Baby shouted with delight to find himself in Papa’s
avins. Mrs. Brant laid down her work, Grandma took her
crochet-basket in her hand, and they all went up to Papa’s
light, pleasant library on the floor above.

“Well, my dear, what is it? Some good news, I’m
sure,” said Mrs. Brant, as Grandma nestled in her easy
chair, and Papa, setting baby on the floor with a toss and a
flourish, proceeded to place a chair for himself between
his wife and mother.

“Yes, it is good news, dear, I’m happy to say,” he an-
swered, with a bright smile. “TI don’t know when I ’ve