The Quest of Happy Hearts | Page 2

a sweet, brave old lady!"
Janey looked up quickly from preparations--"I'm sure Aunt Janice is a dear," she said pleasantly, "and I for one am going prepared to have a good time, and to try and cheer her up. Dad said we must be dutiful and loving."
"What's _dutiful_?" asked Alice.
Nora laughed. "There now, Janey--explain yourself."
"Well, Alice, I think it will mean for us to be obedient, and respectful in trying to do everything to please Aunt Janice. I guess that is what Dad meant."
Beth and Alice looked much happier; the visit to Land's End was growing more and more interesting, since Nora and Janey were beginning to be ashamed of their first attitude and trying to make amends.
"There's a song that goes like this," said Janey:
"'I would be true, for there are those who trust me, I would be pure, for there are those who care, I would be strong, for there is much to suffer, I would be brave, for there is much to dare'..."
"I love to sing those words, don't you, Nora? There always seems a lot of things to do in it, that are worthwhile."
"There are a lot of worthwhile things to follow out in the song," Nora replied, "suppose we all sing it together, before we start to get ready for our journey?"
They all crossed quickly over to the open piano in one corner of the room. Nora had taken music and so was the pianist of the family. She struck the opening chords, and then they all joined in singing it through.
"'_I would look up--and laugh--and love--and lift_--" the music died away, while the girls remained in thought for a few moments. It was Nora who broke the pause, glancing around on the group who had always looked up to her.
"I think the words are beautiful," she commented softly--"I somehow feel braver, when I sing them thoughtfully--'_I would look up_--_and laugh_--_and love_--_and_--lift!'"
"I think I'll take that as my motto to try and follow."
"I would like to also," Janey, too, was thinking hard.
Then they broke up, happier because of the challenge in the song to worthwhile effort, and ready now to begin the preparations of the impending journey to Land's End!

CHAPTER II
ON THE WAY
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