e and Archie were to have worked,
of the shabby old study where he meant to write his sermons, while she
was to sit beside him with her book or needlework, of the evenings
when he had promised to read to her, of the walks they were to have
taken together, of all the dear delightful plans they had made.

And now her mother had said them nay; it was Mattie who was to be his
housekeeper, who would sit opposite to him and pour out his coffee,
who would mend his socks and do all the thousand-and-one things that a
woman delights in doing for the mankind dependent on her for comfort.

Mattie would visit his poor people, and teach in the schools,
entertain his friends, and listen to his voice every Sunday; here
tears slowly gathered under the closed eyelids. Yes, Mattie would do
all that, but she would not be his chosen friend and companion; there
would be no long charming talks for her in the study or the sunny
garden; he would be as lonely, poor fellow, in his way as she would be
in hers, and for this her mother was to blame.

"Well, Gracie, haven't you a word to say?" asked her brother, at last,
surprised at her long silence.

"No, Archie; it does not bear talking about," she returned, so
passionately that he turned round to look at her. "I must not even
think of it. I must try and shut it all out of my mind, or I shall be
no good to any one. But it is hard--hard!" with a quiver of her lip.

"I call it a shame for my father and mother to sacrifice you in this
way!" he burst out, moved to bitter indignation at the sight of her
trouble. "I shall tell my father what I think about it pretty
plainly!"

But this speech recalled Grace to her senses.

"Oh, no, dear! you must do no such thing: promise me you will not. It
would be no good at all; and it would only make mother so angry. You
know he always thinks as she does about things, so it would be no
use. I suppose"--with an impatient sigh--"that I ought to feel myself
complimented at knowing I cannot be spared. Some girls would be proud
to feel themselves their mother's right hand; but to me it does not
seem much of a privilege."

"Don't talk in that way, Grace: it makes me miserable to hear you. I
am more sorry for you than I am for myself, and yet I am sorry for
myself too. If it were not that my mother would be too deeply
offended, I would refuse to have Mattie at all. We never have got on
well together. She is a good little thing in her way, but her
awkwardness and