h
matron crosses our humble threshold."

Malcolm had determined not to disappoint his mother that evening, so he
banished all thoughts of his friends from his mind, and a few minutes
later he was showing people to their seats and chatting pleasantly with
his acquaintances.

Now and then, in the midst of her duties as a hostess, Mrs. Herrick's
eyes rested on her son's dark face with motherly pride and tenderness.

He was doing his part so well--in his quiet, unobtrusive manner he was
making himself so agreeable. Oh, if he would only have stayed with her,
and been indeed the son of her right hand, and given himself to the
work; and then for a moment there was a filmy look in the mother's
eyes, and she listened a little absently to her favourite speaker.

Malcolm did his part like a man. He applauded the speakers at exactly
the right moment, and when the meeting was over he actually made a
neat, telling little speech, conveying the vote of thanks to the
chairman; and both the manner and matter were so good that more than
one of Mrs. Herrick's friends observed to her that her son would make
his mark in the House.

Malcolm felt rewarded for his exertions when his mother wished him
good-night.

"You have been my right hand this evening, Malcolm," she said, looking
at him with unusual tenderness. "Thank you so much, my son;" and these
few words gave Malcolm quite a thrill of pleasure.

The heavy storm had tempered the extreme heat and the night had been
comparatively cool, and the little group gathered round the breakfast
table the next morning looked as bright as the day itself.

Anna had been charmed with her watch; but when she opened Malcolm's
case and saw the tiny diamond-studded quiver, she was almost speechless
with surprise and delight. "Oh, Malcolm, how could you--how could you
be so kind to me!" was all she could say. But Malcolm only laughed and
fastened the brooch in her white dress. Then he took some half-open
pink rosebuds from a vase on the table and bade her wear them. "You are
too pale, and these will give you colour," he said in a cool, critical
tone.

Anna took them from his hand rather shyly. She had put on her daintiest
white frock in his honour, but the rosebuds savoured of vanity to her.
She never disputed Malcolm's opinion on any subject, but as she
adjusted the flowers she gave Mrs. Herrick a deprecating glance, which
the latter met with an indulgent smile.

"No, dear, you look very nice,"