“I just want to know if there really was a man named Sir Philip, in the time of Queen Elizabeth.”

“You mean Sir Philip Sydney? Yes, he lived then, and a fine old fellow he was too.”

“There; I knew the girls didn’t mean him,” cried Maud, with a chop that sent the citron flying.

“What mischief are you up to now, you little magpie?”

“I shan’t tell you what they said, because I don’t remember much of it; but I heard Polly and Fan talking about some one dreadful mysterious, and when I asked who it was, Fan said, ‘Sir Philip’, Ho! she needn’t think I believe it! I saw ’em laugh, and blush, and poke one another, and I knew it wasn’t about any old Queen Elizabeth man,” cried Maud, turning up her nose as far as that somewhat limited feature would go.

“Look here, you are letting cats out of the bag. Never mind, I thought so. They don’t tell us their secrets, but we are so sharp, we can’t help finding them out, can we?” said Tom, looking so much interested that Maud couldn’t resist airing her knowledge a little.

“Well, I dare say it isn’t proper for you to know, but I am old enough now to be told anything, and those girls better mind what they say, for I’m not a stupid chit like Blanche. I just wish you could have heard them go on. I’m sure there’s something very nice about Mr. Sydney, they looked so pleased when they whispered and giggled on the bed, and thought I was ripping bonnets, and didn’t hear a word.”

“Which looked most pleased?” asked Tom, investigating the kitchen boiler with deep interest.

“Well, ’pears to me Polly did; she talked most, and looked funny and very happy all the time. Fan laughed a good deal, but I guess Polly is the loveress,” replied Maud, after a moment’s reflection.

“Hold your tongue; she’s coming!” and Tom began to pump as if the house was on fire.

Down came Polly, with heightened colour, bright eyes, and not a single egg. Tom took a quick look at her over his shoulder, and paused as if the fire was suddenly extinguished. Something in his face made Polly feel a little guilty, so she fell to grating nutmeg, with a vigour which made red cheeks the most natural thing in life. Maud, the traitor, sat demurely at work, looking very like what Tom had called her, a magpie with mischief in its head. Polly felt a change in the atmosphere, but merely thought Tom was tired, so she graciously dismissed him with a stick of cinnamon, as she had nothing else just then to lay upon the shrine.

“Fan’s got the books and maps you wanted. Go and rest now. I’m much obliged; here’s your wages, Bridget.”

“Good luck to your messes,” answered Tom, as he walked away meditatively crunching his cinnamon, and looking as if he did not find it as spicy as usual. He got his books, but did not read them; for, shutting himself up in the little room called “Tom’s den”, he just sat down and brooded.

When he came down to breakfast the next morning he was greeted with a general “Happy birthday, Tom!” and at his place lay gifts from every member of the family; not as costly as formerly, perhaps, but infinitely dearer, as tokens of the love that had outlived the change, and only grown the warmer for the test of misfortune. In his present state of mind, Tom felt as if he did not deserve a blessed thing; so when everyone exerted themselves to make it a happy day for him, he understood what it means “to be nearly killed with kindness”, and sternly resolved to be an honour to his family, or perish in the attempt. Evening brought Polly to what she called a “festive tea”, and when they gathered round the table, another gift appeared, which, though not of a sentimental nature, touched Tom more than all the rest. It was a most delectable cake, with a nosegay atop, and round it on the snowy frosting there ran a pink inscription, just as it had been every year since Tom could remember.