The next day was a busy one for the Merediths, but at last everything was ready, and bag and baggage they boarded the train and were off on the journey.

"I wonder what it's all going to be like, really?" Nora and Janey peered out on the passing scenes, as they sped along.

Directly in front of them were Beth and Alice, and beyond them, Don and Harry, who felt the responsibility of their position as protectors of the four girls.

Don and Harry were also speculating.

"I wonder how it ever came to be called Land's End?"

"I believe Dad said the land ran up into a narrow kind of neck and so people, just trying to find a name, made it out of that, I suppose; it sounds rather mysterious however; who knows but what we may run up on an adventure."

Harry laughed.

"Well, from its title it sounds rather quiet, but we won't have much time for speculation, and as you say we may run up on something quite exciting during our visit to the woods!"

They chatted away merrily for awhile, until almost before they could realize the distance had passed so quickly, they were at their destination, while a voice was calling—"all off for Land's End!"

Nora, Janey, Beth and Alice, Harry and Don, sprang to their feet in surprise, while eagerly peering into the dusk of the outside, to catch a glimpse of the scene awaiting.

A sudden jolt warned them that the trip was over and gathering up their bundles they began to pile out.

They were greeted at the train steps by a friendly man, who took them at once to a car not far distant.

"Is this Land's End?" Don inquired.

"It is indeed," laughed their pilot, "did you imagine we all had to walk out here?"

"I—I—really didn't know," Don replied, trying to be polite, while sticking to the truth.

"I thought perhaps it might be the end of the world!"

Small Alice suddenly joined in the conversation from her corner, half hidden by packages and suit cases; after that the tension was over and they all talked merrily as they glided along.

"Well, here we are, and there's Aunt Janice Meredith," Nora was the first to jump out and go forward to greet the small figure awaiting them in a flood of light, that stretched out in welcoming rays in all directions.

"A very, very warm welcome to all of my Meredith nieces and nephews!" said the diminutive lady, holding out both hands in greeting.

Alice nudged Beth, her eyes big with excitement.

Their friendly pilot had said goodnight, and slipped quietly away, leaving them to themselves for the first meeting.

"Come right in to supper, the old place hasn't had such a merry set for quite a while, and it does my heart good to have you."

The old lady turned and led the way into a spacious dining room, where the table was set with the daintiest china and gleaming silver.

The room also seemed filled with the softest most musical notes, that made the place seem to Beth and Alice like fairyland at once.

"Now tell me about your journey," Aunt Janice began, after seeing to the comfort of each, because she declared, they must really be almost famished after the long trip.

Soon they began to talk and the evening advanced in an unaccountable manner toward bedtime, so delightful were the hours of getting acquainted. When she felt they must break up, Aunt Janice led the way up the winding stair.

"Good-night, and happy dreams!" she said, with a smile for all the group, "take a good rest now, and be ready for some good times tomorrow."

"Oh, Aunt Janice, we're already having a lovely visit, and you are indeed kind to invite us for a stay in this beautiful, old house."

"The more the merrier, my dear," she beamed on Nora. "All of you in turn, will make the old place far happier than it has been in a long while, and I shall be much helped by having you here."

"Is it a fairy castle?" Alice had slipped one hand into the old lady's, as they stood talking together.

"I think I'll wait a bit and let you tell me if it seems like a real fairy castle, Alice, after you've been here awhile."

"That will be fun," Beth answered.

Aunt Janice smiled.

"Don't you believe in fairies? The fairies I believe in have always been welcome companions of mine, namely, the fairies of kindness, good thoughts and wishes and deeds; they drive out loneliness, if you let them live under your roof. Moreover, the world then seen is brighter because of their light."

Alice beamed.

"There is a little song that says, 'Brighten the corner where you are—',
I love brightness and light, don't you, Aunt Janice?"

"I believe we feel that way, Janey, because of the One who is the Source of all good thoughts, wishes and deeds and who said, 'I am the Light of the world.' How desolate life would be without the light of His love, shed on dark pathways to make them shine!"

Nora and Janey looked quickly into the old lady's face. They saw both sadness and gladness, smiling through.

"I'm sure we're going to love it here," they said impulsively, as they threw their arms around the old lady to bid her goodnight.

"I'm ever so glad that you feel that way; you may look forward to some happy hours and surprises, I hope—just wait and see!"

Then Aunt Janice turned, and with a wave of her hand, disappeared into a room at the end of the long hall.