s an unusual air
of restraint over the whole party. The younger members felt
instinctively that there was something amiss. Archie looked decidedly
glum; and there was an expression on the mother's face that they were
not slow to interpret. No one could hear what it was she was saying to
Mattie that made her look so red and nervous all at once; but
presently she addressed herself abruptly to her husband:

"It is all settled, father. I have arranged with Archie that Matilda
should go down to Hadleigh next month."

Archie stroked his beard, but did not look up or make any remark,
though poor Mattie looked at him beseechingly across the table, as
though imploring a word. His mother would carry her point; but he
would not pretend for a moment that he was otherwise than displeased,
or that Mattie would be welcome.

His silence attracted Mr. Drummond's attention.

"Oh, what, you have settled it, you say? I hope you are satisfied,
Archie, and properly grateful to your mother for sparing Mattie. She
is to go for a year. Well, it will be a grand change for her. I should
not be surprised if you were to pick up a husband, Miss Mattie;" for
Mr. Drummond was a man who, in spite of his cares, was not without his
joke; but, as usual, it was instantly frowned down by his wife:

"I wonder at you, father, talking such nonsense before the children.
Why are you giggling, Laura? It is very unseemly and ill-behaved. I
hope no daughter of mine has such unmaidenly notions. Mattie is going
to Hadleigh to be a comfort to her brother, and to keep his house as a
clergyman's house ought to be kept."

"And you are satisfied, Archie?" asked Mr. Drummond, not quite pleased
at his wife's reprimand, and struck anew by his son's silence.

"I consider these questions somewhat unnecessary. You know my wishes,
sir, on the subject, and my mother also," was the somewhat
uncompromising remark; "but it appears that they are not to be met in
this instance. I hope Mattie will be comfortable and not miss her
sisters;" but he did not look at the poor girl, and the tears came
into her eyes.

"Oh, Archie, I am so sorry! I never meant-----" she stammered; but her
mother interrupted her:

"There is no occasion for you to be sorry about anything; you had far
better be silent, Mattie. But you have no tact. Father, if you have
finished your tea, I suppose you and Archie are going out." And then
Archie rose from the table, and followed his father out of the room.