CHAPTER XXII.

HOME AGAIN AT NO. 8.

"SO I have all my flock safe," said Dr. Arundel, glancing round the table where the greater portion of his family were assembled. Even Tom had petitioned to come down to tea for once, and poor little Dolly's eyes had looked very wistful as he was lifted out of the nursery.

"Another night, dear," Nellie had said gently; "but it will be too much for mamma, will it not Mary, to have all down?"

"Yes, indeed," said Mary; "poor mamma! Besides, Dolly, see what cook has sent us up for tea—some of her nice buns; and yours is here, look!"

Dolly peeped her chin over the edge of the table, and being somewhat satisfied, she pushed her high chair nearer, and climbed up by the baby.

"That's right," said Mary, "and it is nice to be at home, after all."

So the others felt, and the tongues flew as fast or faster than the knives and forks.

Christina and her aunt had been prevailed upon to accompany them home, and to stay with them for a few days till they could meet with apartments; so they were seated in the place of honour, and were included in all the plans and projects of the next few weeks.

"To-morrow," said Christina, turning to her aunt, "we must search for apartments, and then, if we find them, Nellie and I are to have an expedition to Hampstead. I shall not drag you about, Aunt Mary, till I see something very suitable."

"Very well, my dear; and perhaps I can be thinking over what new furniture you will want."

"Yes," said Christina; "for I can't put little clodhopping shoes on crimson damask chairs."

They all laughed; and Netta said, "Are the chairs you are going to buy crimson damask?"

"Not those I am going to buy, but those I have; they are stored away carefully somewhere, waiting for me."

"Oh, I see!" said Netta.

"You will have to come and see me, Tom dear, when it is all done," said Christina.

"I," asked Tom, colouring; "can I really?"

"Yes," answered his mother; "we will arrange it somehow."

Directly after tea, Dr. Arundel rang the bell, and told Simmons to collect all for prayers.

"We will unite in thanking God for our happy reunion," said their father.

"May we have a hymn, papa?" asked Nellie.

"Oh, to be sure! Can you sing without the piano?"

"Oh, yes! We have got quite used to it at South Bay."

So they all gathered together. Even baby came down, as he always did in the morning, and sat very still on his mother's knee, looking round gravely at the unusual sight of lamps at prayers, which he could not make out at all.

The next morning, true to their intention, Christina and her aunt started forth on their lodging-hunting expedition. They were not very long gone, but returned in about an hour, having found what would suit them very well, for the few weeks before they could expect to settle into the new home. So after dinner, Christina asked Nellie if it would be possible for her to get away for the "house-hunting," and Mrs. Arundel answered for her, that she should go by all means.

"Will you like to come with us, Ada?" said Christina.

"Oh, thank you! I should very much," said Ada, "if I should not be in the way."

So the three went together, and when at seven o'clock they returned, they had to confess that they were thoroughly tired.

"What success have you had?" asked Walter.

"Pretty fair," answered Christina, "the only objection being that the house we like is almost taken!"

"What a bore!" exclaimed Arthur.

"Tell us all about it," said Dr. Arundel.

"Well," said Nellie, "we saw large and small, all sorts; but at last we came to this one that Christina thinks would do. It is old-fashioned, with quite a large garden; and there are fruit trees, and vegetables, and plenty of flowers."

"That would be very nice," said Mrs. Arundel.

"It is all I could wish," said Christina. "The front is dull; but the back windows look out on the garden and on the Heath. Oh, such a view! No wonder Nellie praised it up!"

"But then it is almost let?" said Dr. Arundel. "Yes; they will know in a day or two."

"I hate waiting," said Ada, sighing.

"It is hard for everybody," said Walter; "but sometimes it is just the lesson God has for us to learn."

His eyes rested for an instant on Christina, and he felt Nellie's hand slipped into his lovingly.

"I do not know anything much harder," said Dr. Arundel. "I see a great deal of that by the bedsides of my patients."

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