The  boys  prattled  the  whole  meal  time  as
to  how  they  should  spend  their  money.  Eva
said  nothing,  after  a  few  embarrassed  words
of  thanks  (embarrassed  because  she  did  not
exactly  know  to  whom  they  should  be
spoken) ;  but  she  had  mentally  disposed  of
her  two  dollars  long  before  Masters  Freddie
and  Charlie,  with  all  their  talking,  had  de-
cided what  to  do  with  theirs.  Dr.  H

had  told  her  that  she  might  come  earlier  and
Btay  longer  with  Lilian  to-day,  as  it  was
Christmas  ;  and  very  soon  after  breakfast-  she


190

was  ready  to  go,  with  a  covered  basket  on
her  arm,  in  which  Lilian's  basket  of  grapes
and  her  own  music  box  and  cornucopia  were,
with  Isabelle's  assistance,  carefully  packed
for  safe  carrying.  When  she  went  to  seek
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grey  to  say  good-by,  she  found
them  standing  before  the  dining-room  fire,
evidently  engaged  in  some  important  consult-
ation. Mrs.  Grey,  as  soon  as  she  saw  the
child,  held  out  "her  hand  to  her,  saying,
"  What !  going  so  soon,  little  Eva  ?  "

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  she  replied,  approaching  ;
"  but  I  will  come  back  to  bring  the  basket
by-and-by."

Mrs.  Grey  smiled,  and  asked,  "  Won't  you
come  and  stay  with  us,  Eva — you  and  your
sister — until  she  gets  quite  well  again  ?  "

"  And  will  you  bring  sister  Lillie  here  ?  "
cried  the  little  girl,  scarce  believing  that  she
had  heard  aright.
