was the reply, "I have resigned my post in the
Excise-office, and shall henceforth devote myself to you and my aged
mother. I have always been a good son, and I shall often look in on
her of an evening when I have settled up matters here."

Patience Harrison heard this announcement, and saw her sister's face
betray considerable surprise.

"Resign the place at the office!" she exclaimed. "Why, Joe!----"

"Why, Joe!" he repeated. "Why, my dear, you ought to be delighted; you
will have so much more of my company and my help. Now you can take
your ease, and sit in your parlour, while Mrs. Harrison waits in the
shop, and performs household duties."

"What next, Joe! I am not going to sit with my hands before me because
I am a married woman. As to a man about in a little shop like mine,
with ladies trying on caps and ordering underclothing, it is not to be
thought of. The customers won't like it. It is too small a place for
three."

"You may be easy on that score, sister," Patience said. "I only
remained while you were away. I wish to leave you, and think of taking
a little house on the Denes, and taking a lodger till they come home."

"Pray may I ask who are _they_?" Mr. Skinner said.

"My husband and my son," was the reply.

"The folly of some women!" exclaimed Mr. Skinner. "No, Mrs. Harrison,
you don't know when you are well off. You should recompense your
sister's goodness and generosity by staying to assist her in her
household cares."

"I did not ask for your advice, and I do not want it. Sister, I shall
cross over to Mr. Boyd's, and take care of that dear child for the
present. I have packed my boxes, and Peter will carry them over."

"My dear," Mr. Skinner said, "that being the case, we at once renounce
all connection with Mrs. Harrison."

"But we shall have to keep a servant," exclaimed his wife; "and
servants are such a terrible trouble, and think of the worry and the
expense, and----"

Poor Mrs. Joe Skinner seemed unfeignedly sorry. She began to magnify
her gentle sister's perfections now she was to lose her.

"And Patience knows all my ways, and how to use the furniture polish on
the chairs and table in the parlour. And---- Oh! really, Patience, I
hope you will stay; especially now the boy is gone. You are welcome,
I'm sure; very welcome! It was the boy made the trouble. We've gone
on so pleasantly since he went."

Patience turned away to hide the tears of wounded feeling, and