, and I wouldn't bother
myself about our arrangements if you would. It's too provoking about
this house. It just suits me: there isn't a thing about it I should wish
to have altered."

"Closets, little kitchen, back stairs," said Napoleon, who had entered
the office unobserved, and who had often heard his mother denounce the
house as most inconvenient in these three particulars.

"What have you come for?" the mother demanded sharply. "Go back to the
sitting-room, and learn your geography lesson for to-morrow."

"Have learnt it," replied the imperturbable Napoleon.

"Then go and get your arithmetic."

"Have got it."

"Well, then, get your history."

"Have."

"And your grammar and spelling and German--you've learned them all, have
you?"

"Yes."

"Then go and take your walk."

"Have."

"For pity's sake, what is it you haven't done?"

"Nothing."

"Every duty of life discharged, is it?" and Mrs. Lively smiled in spite
of herself.

"'Cept eating."

"Except eating! Of course: I never knew a time in your life when you'd
finished up your eating.--What are you going to do about that bill?"
Mrs. Lively continued, turning to her husband.

"I can't do anything about it except to leave it there," replied the
gentleman, smiling quietly.

"It's exasperating," cried the lady. "I don't see how I can ever give up
this house."

"We might buy it," said Dr. Lively. "I've been thinking about it for
some time."

"How can we? Where's the money?"

"I have some in bank."

"You have, and you didn't let me know it, you mean, stingy thing!" said
Mrs. Lively between a pout and a smile. "How much have you in bank?"

"Four or five thousand."

"Why, where did you get it?"

"Saved it."

"Why, you've always talked as poor as poverty, especially if I wanted a
bonnet or anything--said you were barely making a living."

"No man is making a living till he can afford to own a home," said the
doctor, laying aside his pen. "I'll go and see the agent, and learn what
we can get the house for."

"Well, beat him down: don't give him six thousand for it, and don't
decide on anything till you've consulted me. After all, there are a good
many things about this house that don't suit me. Maybe, we can get a lot
and build a house to suit us better for the same money."

"Hardly," said Dr. Lively.

"Well, really, I don't know about buying this house," said the lady in
an undecided way. "I should like to be nearer church, and Nappy