Uncle Jo's Old Coat

Excerpt: 'Oh, Jo, such news! I don't know whether I'm pleased or not; but I do hope it will be for the best!' And so saying, the speaker, Mrs. Dennis, laid down the letter she had been reading and glanced at her husband, with a smile upon her lips and tears in her eyes. It was half-past eight on a fine September morning, and the Dennis family-comprised of Dr. Dennis, his wife, and three children, Edwin and Claude, aged eleven and nine respectively, and Poppy, a bright little maiden of eight-were seated at the breakfast-table. Four pairs of eyes turned curiously upon Mrs. Dennis as she spoke, and her husband hastened to inquire: 'What is it, my dear? What is it you hope will be for the best? That is a letter from your brother, is it not?' 'Yes, in which he informs me that he is going to be married again; and he wants us to have Freddy to stay with us for a few months whilst he and his bride are away on their wedding trip. Here, Jo-' and as she spoke Mrs. Dennis handed the letter to her husband- 'read what he says for yourself.'