Mrs.  Carey  read  it  through  carefully.  "It  is
a  very  kind,  generous  offer,  Julia.  Your  father
cannot  be  consulted  about  it,  so  you  must  de-
cide. You  would  have  every  luxury,  and  your
life  would  be  full  of  change  and  pleasure;  while
with  us  it  must  be,  in  the  nature  of  things,  busy
and  frugal  for  a  long  time  to  come.'

'But  I  am  one  more  to  feed  and  clothe,  Aunt
Margaret,  and  there  is  so  little  money!'

'I  know,  but  you  are  one  more  to  help,  after
all.  The  days  are  soon  coming  when  Nancy  and
Gilbert  will  be  out  in  the  world,  helping  them-
selves. You  and  Kathleen  could  stay  with  Peter

310


GROOVES  OF  CHANGE


and  me,  awaiting  your  turn.  It  does  n't  look
attractive  in  comparison  with  what  the  Fergu-
sons offer  you ! '

Then  the  gentle  little  rivers  that  had  been
swelling  all  the  past  year  in  Julia's  heart,  rivers
of  tenderness  and  gratitude  and  sympathy,
suddenly  overflowed  their  banks  and,  running
hither  and  thither,  softened  everything  with
which  they  came  in  contact.  Rocky  places
melted,  barren  spots  waked  into  life,  and  under
the  impulse  of  a  new  mood  that  she  scarcely
understood  Julia  cried,  'Oh!  dear  Aunt  Mar-
garet, keep  me,  keep  me!  This  is  home;  I  never
want  to  leave  it!  I  want  to  be  one  of  Mother
Carey's  chickens!'

The  child  had  flung  herself  into  the  arms  that
never  failed  anybody,  and  with  tears  streaming
down  her  cheeks  made  her  plea.
