d usually be balanced by simple
addition. Among the elders, the possession of a present secret merely
meant a future conversation.

On this day the juniors were quite certain that secret proceedings of a
highly interesting nature were in the air. Miss Tyrell having been out
since the morning, Mrs. Wheeler was looking forward anxiously to her
return with the view of holding a little private conversation with her,
and the entire Wheeler family were no less anxious to act as audience
for the occasion. Mr. Bob Wheeler had departed to his work that morning
in a condition which his family, who were fond of homely similes, had
likened to a bear with a sore head. The sisterly attentions of Emma
Wheeler were met with a boorish request to keep her paws off; and a
young Wheeler, rash and inexperienced in the way of this weary world,
who publicly asked what Bob had "got the hump about," was sternly
ordered to finish his breakfast in the washhouse. Consequently there
was a full meeting after tea, and when Poppy entered, it was confidently
expected that proceedings would at once open with a speech from the
sofa.

"Take the children outside a bit, Belinda," said her mother, after the
tea things had been removed.

"Got my 'ome lessons to do," said Belinda.

"Do 'em when you come back," said Mrs. Wheeler.

"Sha'n't 'ave time," replied Belinda, taking her books from a shelf;
"they'll take me all the evening. We've all got a lot of 'ome lessons
to-night."

"Never mind, you take 'em out," persisted Mrs. Wheeler.

"When I want to go out," said Belinda, rebelliously, "you won't let
me."

"Do as your mother tells you," commanded Mr. Wheeler, with excellent
sternness.

"I want a little quiet," said Mrs. Wheeler; "a little fresh air will do
you good, Peter."

"I'll go and smoke my pipe in the washhouse," said Mr. Wheeler, who had
his own notions of healthful recreation.

"Take your pipe outside," said Mrs. Wheeler, significantly. "Did you
'ear what I said, Belinda?"

Belinda rose noisily and gathering up her untidy books, thrust them
back in a heap on the shelf, and putting on her hat stood at the door
commenting undutifully upon her parents, and shrilly demanding of the
small Wheelers whether they were coming or whether she was to stay there
all night. She also indulged in dreary prognostications concerning her
future, and finally driving her small fry before her, closed the street
door with a bang which induced Mrs. Wheeler t