<h3>HOME AGAIN</h3>
<p>"If we're going to get home before dark, as I promised, we'd better be
moving along," said Uncle Billy. "I expect to find a man with our car
outside the grounds."</p>
<p>The three girls arose reluctantly from their seat on the long bench.</p>
<p>"Well, I suppose the very best of days must come to an end," sighed
Jerry.</p>
<p>"Why, it hasn't ended yet," said Beth, cheeringly. "We still have the
long ride home, and you must sit in front, for <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></SPAN></span>I'm sure Mary and I
will have our hands full to keep Elizabeth Geraldine from falling out."</p>
<p>"Yes," agreed Mary, "for don't you remember how we lost poor Annabel
driving home from the party that day?"</p>
<p>As Uncle Billy had planned, his car stood at the entrance gate, and he
soon had the happy little party aboard.</p>
<p>All the way home Jerry talked gaily to Uncle Billy, telling him all
about the merry times she had with the others, and of her dog Patsy
that she loved so well.</p>
<p>"I must see him," declared Uncle Billy. "He must be a fine dog, from
all that you say about him."</p>
<p>Beth and Mary had many things to talk about.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></SPAN></span>"Now we'll have to give a big party to introduce Elizabeth Geraldine to
society," planned Beth. "Won't it be fun?"</p>
<p>"We'll have to make new dresses for all the other children so they'll
look nice too. And, of course, I shall have to make some plainer
clothes for her," said Mary, looking at Elizabeth Geraldine, "because
it wouldn't do for her to look so stylish all the time. Oh, Beth," she
suddenly added, "it was just dear of you and Jerry to want me to have
her. I'll never, never forget it."</p>
<p>"Where's the first stop?" asked Uncle Billy, when they had reached the
town of Merryvale.</p>
<p>"Two blocks down on this side," directed <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></SPAN></span>Beth. "Mary lives in the
brown house next to the corner."</p>
<p>"I don't know what to say," declared Mary a few moments later as the
car drew up before her door, "except that I've had a lovely time. It's
been just like a fairy story," she laughed, "wishing for Elizabeth
Geraldine and getting her."</p>
<p>"Good-bye, dear," called out Beth and Jerry.</p>
<p>"Good-bye, Uncle Billy," and Mary blew him a kiss from her fingertips
as the car started away and he waved to her.</p>
<p>When they reached Jerry's home, she threw her arms about Beth.</p>
<p>"Oh, I've just had the best time, and <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></SPAN></span>I'll never forget you, Uncle
Billy. It's been a wonderful day."</p>
<p>Beth, who had now taken the front seat, sat close to Uncle Billy as
they sped toward home.</p>
<p>"You're the very best uncle in the world," she told him. "We've all
been happy, but I've been the happiest of all."</p>
<p>"You always will be, Beth, because you have found out that the greatest
joy is in doing for others."<br/>
<br/>
<br/></p>
<h3>THE END</h3>
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