The engine-burglar.

           WhatwasleftofthesecondsheetandtheBrunswickblackcameinverynicelytomakeabannerbearingthelegend

           SHEISNEARLYWELLTHANKYOU

           andthiswasdisplayedtotheGreenDragonaboutafortnightafterthearrivalofthewonderfulhamper.Theoldgentlemansawit,andwavedacheerfulresponsefromthetrain.AndwhenthishadbeendonethechildrensawthatnowwasthetimewhentheymusttellMotherwhattheyhaddonewhenshewasill.Anditdidnotseemnearlysoeasyastheyhadthoughtitwouldbe.Butithadtobedone.Anditwasdone.Motherwasextremelyangry.Shewasseldomangry,andnowshewasangrierthantheyhadeverknownher.Thiswashorrible.Butitwasmuchworsewhenshesuddenlybegantocry.Cryingiscatching,Ibelieve,likemeaslesandwhooping-cough.Atanyrate,everyoneatoncefounditselftakingpartinacrying-party.

           Motherstoppedfirst.Shedriedhereyesandthenshesaid:—

           "I’msorryIwassoangry,darlings,becauseIknowyoudidn’tunderstand."

           "Wedidn’tmeantobenaughty,Mammy,"sobbedBobbie,andPeterandPhyllissniffed.

           "Now,listen,"saidMother;"it’squitetruethatwe’repoor,butwehaveenoughtoliveon.Youmustn’tgotellingeveryoneaboutouraffairs—it’snotright.Andyoumustnever,never,neveraskstrangerstogiveyouthings.