rse you shall take my turn if Sister Kate will allow it."

CHAPTER XVII.

Sister Kate made no objection, and Effie hurried home in a state of
excitement which she could scarcely restrain. Mrs. Staunton did not
expect her, and the poor girl felt her heart sink low in her breast when
she saw that her unexpected arrival scarcely gave satisfaction. There
was a nice white cloth on the table, and a large bunch of flowers in a
pretty cut-glass jug stood in the center. An attempt at dessert again
graced the board, and Effie noticed that a bottle of sherry and a bottle
of port stood on the little sideboard.

She felt a sense of dismay.

"Even mother is beginning to keep things from me," she said to herself.
"It is all George, of course! They did not expect me home to-day, so
they are having a particularly good dinner. Is it possible that even
mother would try to deceive me? Oh, dear, dear! how changed all our life
is, now that father is no longer here!"

There had never been the faintest shadow of concealment about the honest
doctor, and while with her husband Mrs. Staunton was the most
straightforward woman imaginable; but, alas! her character was a weak
one--she was now completely under George's influence, and George had
learned to walk in those crooked paths which those who begin to do wrong
are always tempted to follow.

He came in presently, looking particularly handsome and manly. He had on
a nice new coat; and his beautifully got-up collar showed off his fresh
young face to the best possible advantage.

Mrs. Staunton called him up at once for Effie to criticise.

"Doesn't he look well in a white silk tie?" she said. "I like white ties
better than colored ones for him, and they are not so expensive either,
for I can wash them myself."

"I wonder all that washing does not fag you, mother," said Effie.

Before Mrs. Staunton could reply, Mrs. Robinson appeared with the
dinner, and the family sat down to an excellent meal.

Effie saw quite plainly that it would be useless for her to attempt to
expostulate. Mrs. Staunton, after her first start of unconcealed dismay,
was very affectionate to her daughter. She told Effie that she thought
she looked a little pale, and wondered whether all that nursing was not
too much for her.

"No, mother, I love the work," said Effie.

"But that is not the question, my love," said Mrs. Staunton, shaking her
head. "The question is this: is it undermining your health?"

"W