"You must be getting up, my dear; to-day you are going to the sea,
remember," sounded first by one little bedside and then by the other.
"Were we very late of coming in last night?" asked the children at
breakfast.
"Not so very, I don't think," nurse replied. "But you see I can't tell
exactly, as I found you both undressed and in bed fast asleep when I
came up from my supper. You did give me a surprise."
Rafe and Alix looked at each other and smiled. Nurse thought it was
only that they were pleased at the trick they had played her.
The seaside visit was delightful. But before it came to an end a very
unexpected thing happened. The children's father, who was a very clever
man, was chosen for an important post out of England. It all came about
in a great hurry, and Rafe and Alix have never since returned to the
country house where, for most of the years of their life, they had been
so happy. And all this time their home has been a long way off.
They often speak of Ladywood, and declare that when they come back to
England they _must_ go there and try to find the old caretaker again.
But I almost hope they will not do so; for, I am sorry to say, Ladywood
has been bought and all changed. A new house has been built at last on
the site of the old one, and the foundations all opened out. I feel
sure Mrs Caretaker is no longer there.
Still, there is no saying but that Rafe and Alix may come across her
again _some_ day and _some_ where.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The End.