7 
CHAPTER II. 
“ The Holidays !” Ali ! what delight has that word 
given us in days gone by ! What delight it gives 
now, to that bright-eyed mischievous urchin, who 
never knows his lessons, and to that pale-faced girl 
who dreams of the kindly gentleness of home re- 
lations, and of unrestrained liberty of action ! 
The Holidays !” How the head of the family 
brightens up at the words, after his nine or ten 
months’ daily toil ! How are the maps brought out, 
guide-books consulted, and ‘Bradshaw’ thumbed 
till nearly useless, before it is settled where they 
shall go. One of the party suggests a place, and 
five minutes after another in a completely opposite 
direction. Sister Alice wants to go to Switzerland, 
but there is no sea-bathing there ; Madge suggests 
the Lakes, but there it is always rainy ; Frederick 
wishes to go to Scotland, but that is too expensive. 
At last a gentle voice from a corner suggests 
“ Beautiful Devonshire.” 
