Year: 1870




| drawlng-room (when there was no company
to hear the rehearsal of Miss Mucillers ac-
complishments, for it made her DESPAIR
more than ever of being able to lay even
the groundwork for such display. But
the advertisement was already sent to a
weekly paper, spite Of all Noddy's entrea-
ties, detailing her proficiency and SO she
could see nothing to be done but to borrow
some Of Julia's early schoo-books, and try
in spare moments, to gain little knowl-
edge OF what she was expected to teach
1t was with some difficulty that she could
even do this, for Mrs Mueller did not like
to see her reading, observing that her duty
was to devote her mind exclusively to house
hold affairs, and there would be plenty of
| time for study when she went to her first
situation. " You have only to keep your
self one lesson in advance of your pupils, :"
Mrs. Mueller said "and you are safe. 1t
is very strange if grown person of average
ability cannot manage to compete with
children to that extent" So Noddy would
get up early, and get all her dusting dore
and manage to make an hour at least for
study before breakfast.


Within week of Julias return from
school, Mrs. Mueller received this letter by
afternoon post:


"LONDON, June 81, 1S-.


"DEAR Mrs. MUCILLER-You will be
surprised to hear | am just home from
Bombay-more so, perhaps. to learn Pm
tired Of India, and mean to settle in Eng
land. | shall run down and pay you visit
i'll day or two, and shall probably stay till
you turn me out, as your cool, country
scenery will be a relief to eyes that still
have the glare of the Indian sun in them
Don't put yourself out Of the way. You
need not reply, as l shall not be in London
after tomorrow. Yours,


CRANK GEoGEGAN. :"


"Well, that's COOL" said Julia.


cit certainly is" said Mrs. Mueller;
"but he must come. In the first place, he
is a nephew of the late Mr. Mueller, and
suppose fancies he has some right in his
uncle's house. In the next place, am not
disposed to dispute the point, for he has
been making deal Of money in India in
connection with reclamation of Land
Company. He must have turned a pretty
penny, or he would not think of setting
down yet. Those Geogogans are a money
making family, and always were, and not
satisfied with little ! should have invi-
ted him myself had known him to be in
England. l consider his visit highly desir-
able. You must look your best, Julia,
when he comes"


Julia languidly smiled obedience. "But
he does not say when he is coming, man.
ma"


" No; /; just like the Geogagans always
thoughtless. However, we need not trouble
about that to-day, as it is time for you to
dress for Mrs. Sharing's croquet party"


So Julia rang the bell for Noddy to come
and do her hair.


On the 2Sth of June being the anniversa-
ry of Coronation Day, is kept holiday at
most country places. Both Mrs. Mueller
servants had hurried to get their work done
early; and as their people," to wit, Mrs
Mueller and her daughter for Noddy die
not COUNT were going out, they were giver
the afternoon as holiday.


1t was real treat to Noddy to get a spare
afternoon all to herself, with no work to do
and no one to find fault with her. Sh,
made up her mind she would spend til,
time in trying how to learn to teach music
So she went to the piano in the drawing
room, and began at the beginning of he
Piano-forte Tutor, and went slowly on til
she come to the scales, which she com
menced practicing,


1t being very hot, all the doors and win
dows of the house were thrown open to ge
the breeze, and the fragant breath swep
in through the hall-door, and along til,
passage, and to the drawing-room, bearing
the scent of roses and jasamine to Noddy
as she sat there practicing scales. 1t il
rather monotonous work but her who'll