at besets you, and study
that young girl's character and wishes. She has never been courted in
life--flatter her; she has never been even thought of----show her every
consideration; she is evidently of a thoughtful turn, and nobody can
mope better than yourself. Insinuate yourself day by day into little
household affairs, mingling counsels here and warnings there,--always
on the side of economy,--so that while affecting only to play with the
reins, you'll end by driving the coach."

"I 'm afraid I 've no head for all this, sister."

"Of course you have n't, nor for anything else without _me_ to guide
you. I 'm perfectly aware of that. But you can learn. You can at least
obey!"

"My sister means that you can st-st-struggle against the natural
w-w-wilfulness of your d-disposition," cackled in Purvis.

"I'll do my best," murmured Martha, in a voice of humility.

"Women are so fond of sa-saving," cried Scroope, "You'll always be safe
when you c-c-cut down the estimates."

"Attend to that, Martha," remarked Mrs. Ricketts.

"Find out the price of ch-chickens, and always buy them a kreutzer
cheaper than she has done."

"There is nothing gives such an ascendency in a house as showing that
you can maintain the establishment for fourpence less per quarter," said
Zoe, gravely. "I have known connubial happiness, that has stood the test
of temper and illness for years, wrecked on the small rock of a cook's
bill. Like all wasteful men, you may be sure that this Dalton has many
miserly habits. Learn these, and indulge them. There was that poor
Marquis of Binchley, that never dined without a hundred wax candles in
the room, left all his fortune to a nephew he once found collecting the
sealing-wax from old letters and making it up for fresh use. Reflect
upon this, Martha; and always bear in mind that the vices of mankind
are comparatively uninstructive. It is their foibles, their small
weaknesses, that teach everything."

"When Ha-Ha-Haggerstone comes, and finds no room for him, you 'll
ha-ha-have the devil to pay."

"He shall take it out in dinners, Scroope; and what between drinking
Dalton's wine with him, and abusing him behind his back, you 'll see he
'll be perfectly happy."

"How long do you purpose to st-stay here, sister?" asked Scroope.

"Ask the butterfly how long the rose and the hyacinth will bloom," said
Mrs. Ricketts, pensively; for, by dint of smiling at herself in the
looking-glass, she had come round to t