r
silence was less pleasant than his rattle.

Charlie took the hint and dashed off several notes in his best manner.
Coming to the business letter, he glanced at it and asked, with a
puzzled expression: "What is all this? Cost of repairs, etc., from a man
named Buffum?"

"Never mind that I'll see to it by and by."

"But I do mind, for I'm interested in all your affairs, and though you
think I've no head for business, you'll find I have if you'll try me."

"This is only about my two old houses in the city, which are being
repaired and altered so that the rooms can be let singly."

"Going to make tenement houses of them? Well, that's not a bad idea such
places pay well, I've heard."

"That is just what I'm not going to do. I wouldn't have a tenement house
on my conscience for a million dollars not as they are now," said Rose
decidedly.

"Why, what do you know about it, except that people live in them and the
owners turn a pretty penny on the rents?"

"I know a good deal about them, for I've seen many such, both here
and abroad. It was not all pleasure with us, I assure you. Uncle was
interested in hospitals and prisons, and I sometimes went with him, but
they made me sad so he suggested other charities that I could be of
help about when we came home. I visited infant schools, working women's
homes, orphan asylums, and places of that sort. You don't know how much
good it did me and how glad I am that I have the means of lightening a
little some of the misery in the world."

"But, my dear girl, you needn't make ducks and drakes of your fortune
trying to feed and cure and clothe all the poor wretches you see. Give,
of course everyone should do something in that line and no one likes it
better than I. But don't, for mercy's sake, go at it as some women do
and get so desperately earnest, practical, and charity-mad that there is
no living in peace with you," protested Charlie, looking alarmed at the
prospect.

"You can do as you please. I intend to do all the good I can by asking
the advice and following the example of the most 'earnest,' 'practical,'
and 'charitable' people I know so, if you don't approve, you can drop
my acquaintance," answered Rose, emphasizing the obnoxious words and
assuming the resolute air she always wore when defending her hobbies.

"You'll be laughed at."

"I'm used to that."

"And criticized and shunned."

"Not by people whose opinion I value."

"Women shouldn't go poking into such