The Quest of Happy Hearts | Page 2

of the Meredith family." At that they all began to
laugh merrily, and good humor was restored.
"Would you believe it, I've just begun to think of Aunt Janice's side;
she doesn't know us at all, yet has invited us on a long visit. I just
believe she must be 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,