side,
and little bowwow must be there, 'cause he's dot the badest cold, and
the kitties haven't dot but little weeny eyes yet, and they _must_ be
where it's most lightest."

"Well, well, well, where _may_ I sit? I must get to work."

"You may sit right there, and you mustn't fiddet, 'cause you'll upset
dolly's crib, if you do."

Soon he was safely bestowed, off on one side, and as he obediently kept
to his limitations, all proceeded happily.

During this domestic scrimmage, Mrs. Bachelor went on chatting in her
lively, pleasant fashion with me, never betraying, in any way, that she
overheard the scene in the study. I was so occupied with it, that I
could pay no heed to her remarks; but she was a wise woman, and knew
that her husband was being cooked to a delicious turn, and that any
interference on her part, would spoil the dish. I have since learned
that occasionally, when she sees that the fire is really too hot for
him, she comes to his rescue.

"If he sputters and fizzes, don't be anxious; some husbands do this
till they are quite done."

Evidently Mrs. Bachelor has studied her cook-book.

VII

The little touch of sentiment that flashed, as it were, from Randolph
Chance as he lifted me off the pier, was presently blotted, as far as
effect upon me was concerned, by the return of Miss Sprig to the
Purblind household, and the renewal of his attentions to her. At least I
regarded them as renewed, and I coldly turned my back upon him, and let
him go his way, without further thought or speculation.

I was daily becoming more interested in another acquaintance--Mr.
Gregory, a man of years, whom I had known for some time. He had been a
visitor at our house when my parents were living, and had, from time to
time, shown me friendly attentions since their death. He frequently
invited me to places of entertainment, something Randolph Chance seldom
did, and in many ways contributed to my comfort and happiness. Single
women are very dependent upon their men friends for pleasures of this
sort; few of them care to go out at night alone, and even when they go
in company with each other, the occasion lacks a zest which belongs to
it when a woman has an escort. It is strange that many men--many of those
who believe in the dependence of women, fall into the selfish habit of
going alone to theater, concert, and lecture, and so force the women of
their acquaintance into a position whic