Kathleen Hay

“ Nora read her thoughts, and put a warning finger to her lips.
"Don't be silly, Janey; don't you see Don and Harry ahead? We'll play that we are all going on a quest, and they will be our knights—there's nothing to fear."
Janey's face brightened, and Beth and Alice, thinking only of the good time ahead, danced merrily along the way.
"Wouldn't it be fun, if we found a little cabin, in the heart of the forest?" Don turned toward Harry to help with the basket of lunch, that he had been carrying since they left. ”

“ I don't feel that I deserve this wonderful visit."
"You didn't really mean them, Nora; nor did I. I'm sure Aunt Janice and
Dad would understand."
"I hope so, because I'm really sorry and ashamed."
"I am afraid we all say things only too often that are so unworthy; wouldn't we have much more happiness, Nora, if we would heed the warning of the Bible to guard our tongue and not to judge our fellowmen?"
"Y—es,—I suppose so. I think this place should be called the Castle of
Delight, instead of Land's End; it would certainly be more appropriate."
"I think so too," Janey agreed. ”

“ Meredith replied, "and it shall be the greatest pleasure to take care of you and your affairs."
Don had waited, not wanting to interrupt, and Aunt Janice seeing him, motioned that he come up to her side. In the happiness that had come to them all, she had not forgotten a plan that she had made for Marty and Jerry's grandfather and themselves.
"I want you to take a message to Mr. Greyson for me, Don—tell him that the manager is returning to his home in the city, and that I shall be glad if he will consider the vacancy, and accept at once if he will. The house of course goes with the position." ”

“ Janey's face, as well as Beth's and Alice's began to brighten at Nora's changed attitude.
"Land's End may be far happier to visit than we can dream of," Janey joined in quietly, "and now we had best get right to packing, for there isn't much time to lose."
"Could we do a little shopping?" Beth asked, "there may not be any stores near."
"We can't carry too much though," Nora said, by way of precaution, "however we must all remember to take Aunt Janice something; it's good of her to take us all in for an indefinite visit." ”

“ Marty continued, "and of course secrets must be kept."
"We're making Aunt Janice happy again," Beth beamed, "she told us so herself!"
They had gathered in front of the cabin now, and the boys began to cast wishful eyes at the lunch basket.
"Let's have our picnic right here under this big tree, if Marty and Jerry are willing; it's been quite a while since breakfast!"
"Oh, of course—it will be lots of fun to have you," they both joined at once in the invitation. "We usually wait for Grandfather for awhile, but if he's too long in coming, we have dinner without him." ”

“ The Merediths waited in a group, until they returned to start to gather decorations.
"The chain of happiness for others, as well as for ourselves, is really growing," she began, her eyes following the three figures in the distance.
"Oh, Nora—" Janey said, "let's always try to keep on finding hearts that need happiness."
"Let's—" Beth agreed, and all of the others joined in accord in the lovely plan, that they had made theirs.
"Dear Aunt Janice started it all by inviting us on a visit to the castle; now it's growing beautifully."
"Because, you see, we are on a quest of happiness for others ”

“ Don stepped back, and pointed mysteriously through an opening in the trees ahead, that revealed at the end of a winding footpath, a real log—cabin!
"Oh," gasped Janey, turning to catch Beth and Alice's hands—"maybe it's a gypsy hut!"
"Don't be a goose-girl," laughed Don, "whoever heard of a gypsy settling down in one place; they are a wandering tribe."
"We'll be the scouts and go ahead and bring back a report."
Harry and Don started forward—
"Brave knights of old—" Nora said softly, as the two disappeared down the trail, toward the unknown, in the shape of a small cabin at the end! ”

“ Meredith family!
"A visit to Land's End, what a prospect," Janey joined in sympathy with Nora; the two were near together in age, while Beth and Alice were younger. They sat listening to the complaints of the older girls, not yet having had a chance to express their views.
"Great-aunt Janice may be a lovely old lady," Beth seeing a chance broke in, by way of consolation; she threw down her story book to join in the discussion and plans that were inevitable. ”

“ Harry commented.
Aunt Janice looked toward the speaker quickly.
"Well, I believe it is one of the finest in this part of the country; you may all take a basket of lunch and go out exploring there, if you like, soon—all varieties of lovely ferns grow about in damp places and you can bring some back to help make the old place look green and pretty inside, as well as on the outside, for we must get ready for a party." ”

“ The old place holds a mystery, and I can't but wonder what it is."
The undercurrent of excitement was thrilling to the Merediths, as their thoughts turned to Aunt Janice's parting injunction about the tower room.
"If there's anything bothering Aunt Janice, I'd do anything to help her out." Nora was speaking softly.
"Perhaps we can help," Don said, "anyhow we can follow out her instructions, whatever they may be."
"I love Aunt Janice," Alice joined in, "don't you?"
"She's a perfectly darling old lady," Beth replied, a sentiment that expressed the feelings of all the Merediths. ”

“ In another moment, as they came nearer the hut, voices could be heard speaking inside, and a dog began to bark furiously.
"Be quiet, 'Gem'—down—down—who's there?"
The boys, waiting a few feet away, replied, "Harry and Donald Meredith; we were just exploring and thought we'd come up and see if anyone was occupying the cabin, but your dog sounds mean." ”

“ Don supplemented.
"Well, you may have another as soon as you like, and I'll be sure to include the Greyson's next time."
"Land's End is the most delightful place in the world—" Janey threw her arms around Aunt Janice impulsively, while sudden tears brimmed over and splashed down her cheeks.
"Why, my dear, you must be all tired out," the old lady began sympathetically. But Janey shook her head. ”

“ With that thought foremost in her mind, Janey at last, fell asleep.
CHAPTER V EXPLORING THE FOREST Bright and early after breakfast, the Merediths, bidding Aunt Janice good-bye, started out on their exploring expedition into the forest.
"You may make a whole day of it, if you like," Aunt Janice had said, "and have a picnic dinner—only be careful."
"We will—" they assented, "and as you don't mind if we stay all day, we can camp out, and play we're a gypsy band, and have lots of fun."
The old lady smiled. Beth had run back for a moment.
"Won't you be lonely?" ”

“ She struck the opening chords, and then they all joined in singing it through.
"'I would look up—and laugh—and love—and lift—" the music died away, while the girls remained in thought for a few moments. ”