will teach
him it's not so easy as he thinks for, to make a woman give up her
way."

The time was now drawing near when little Leonard might be
weaned--the time appointed by all three for Ruth to endeavour to
support herself in some way more or less independent of Mr and Miss
Benson. This prospect dwelt much in all of their minds, and was in
each shaded with some degree of perplexity; but they none of them
spoke of it for fear of accelerating the event. If they had felt
clear and determined as to the best course to be pursued, they were
none of them deficient in courage to commence upon that course at
once. Miss Benson would, perhaps, have objected the most to any
alteration in their present daily mode of life; but that was because
she had the habit of speaking out her thoughts as they arose, and she
particularly disliked and dreaded change. Besides this, she had felt
her heart open out, and warm towards the little helpless child, in a
strong and powerful manner. Nature had intended her warm instincts
to find vent in a mother's duties; her heart had yearned after
children, and made her restless in her childless state, without her
well knowing why; but now, the delight she experienced in tending,
nursing, and contriving for the little boy--even contriving to the
point of sacrificing many of her cherished whims--made her happy
and satisfied and peaceful. It was more difficult to sacrifice her
whims than her comforts; but all had been given up when and where
required by the sweet lordly baby, who reigned paramount in his very
helplessness.

From some cause or other, an exchange of ministers for one Sunday was
to be effected with a neighbouring congregation, and Mr Benson went
on a short absence from home. When he returned on Monday, he was met
at the house-door by his sister, who had evidently been looking out
for him for some time. She stepped out to greet him.

"Don't hurry yourself, Thurstan! all's well; only I wanted to tell
you something. Don't fidget yourself--baby is quite well, bless him!
It's only good news. Come into your room, and let me talk a little
quietly with you."

She drew him into his study, which was near the outer door, and
then she took off his coat, and put his carpet-bag in a corner, and
wheeled a chair to the fire, before she would begin.

"Well, now! to think how often things fall out just as we want them,
Thurstan! Have not you often wondered what was to be done with Ruth
when the time c