rein Bridgie ate
humble-pie, and Esmeralda rode the high horse after the manner born.

"You were right about Pixie, darling. It _is_ dull for her here in this
strange town, where we have _so_ few friends; and now that she is nearly
twenty-one it does not seem right to shut her up. She ought to go about
and see the world, and meet boys and girls of her own age. And so,
dear, would it be convenient to you to have her for a few months until
you go up to town? Your life in the country will seem a whirl of gaiety
after our monotonous jog-trot, and she has been so useful and diligent,
helping me these last years with never a thought for her own enjoyment,
that she deserves all the fun she can get. I am sad at parting from
her, but if it's for her good I'll make the effort. She has two nice
new frocks, and I could get her another for parties." Thus Bridgie.
Esmeralda's reply came by return--the big, slanting writing, plentifully
underlined--

"_At last_, my dear, you have come to your senses. For a sweet-tempered
person, you certainly have, as I've told you before, a surprising amount
of obstinacy. In future do try to believe that in matters of worldly
wisdom I know best, and be ruled by me!

"Pixie can come at once--the sooner the better, but for pity's sake, my
dear, spare me the frocks. Felice can run her up a few things to last
until I have time to take her to town. If I am to take her about, she
must be dressed to please _me_, and do _me_ credit.

"We have people coming and going all the time, and I'll be thankful to
have her. I wouldn't say so for the world, Bridgie, but you _have_ been
selfish about Pixie! Never a bit of her have I had to myself; she has
come for the regular Christmas visits, of course, and sometimes in
summer, but it's always been with you and Dick and the children; it's
only the leavings of attention she's had to spare for any one else. Now
my boys will have a chance! Perhaps she can keep them in order--_I_
can't! They are the pride and the shame, and the joy and the grief, and
the sunshine and the--thunder and lightning and earthquake of my life.
Bridgie, did you ever think it would feel like that to be a mother? I
thought it would be all pure joy, but there's a big ache mixed in--

"Geoff was so naughty this morning, so disobedient and rude, and I
prayed, Bridgie--I shut myself in my room and prayed for patience, and
then went down and spoke to him so sweetly. You'd have loved