FOUR CHILDREN.•
LADY GLENcornma's new book is a treasury of delightful vig- nettes. Some of the stories in it are very funny, some very charming, and some—must we say it I—a little sentimental. But few readers will like them the worse for that ; and for the comfort of the minority, and lest they miss an attractive book, we hasten to add that the funny and the charming predominate. There are descriptions of two delightful caravan expeditions, but it is the account of the four children themselves which will chiefly please the reader. They are fascinating people, and we are allowed to know them intimately when they are good and naughty, elfin and angelic. The following stories are culled at random from an ample store :—
" He was looking one day at a picture of Carlyle. ' Why does he look so sad He had ill-health, and besides this a great many things saddened him.'—' What sort of things A great many sad things that go on in the world.' There was a moment's pause and then, spreading expostulating hands, Well, but, Mummie, ferrets must eat eggs ! "
" One morning his father said, Go to the window and see what sort of day it is.' The child's reply came with a note of ecstasy, As shiny as gold and everywhere the grass just a little foggier than silver.' " " I took off the top and I only just put in the spoon and all the egg came caterpillaring out.' " " You know when I point my dirk at people it's like a curse on a small scale.' "
" And he was sitting so sad looking like a rather humbled-up cat.' "
An account of the Flood :— " And it rained, and it rained, and it rained, and it never stopped off raining for forty days. Even God was soaking.' " One especially charming feature of the book is the picture it gives of the tender love constantly expressed by the children for their mother. She had gone to kiss the biggest boy good-night. "He said ; I listen for your step in the passage and it's the step of heaven to me.' "
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