"

"It's a tremendous infliction, Lillie!"

"Poor man! is it?" said Lillie, putting her arm round his neck, and
stroking his whiskers. "Well, now, he's a good man to bear it so well,
so he is; and they shan't plague him long. But, John, you must confess
Mrs. Follingsbee is nice: poor woman! she is mortified with the way
Dick will go on; but she can't do any thing with him."

"Yes, I can get on with her," said John. In fact, John was one of the
men so loyal to women that his path of virtue in regard to them always
ran down hill. Mrs. Follingsbee was handsome, and had a gift in
language, and some considerable tact in adapting herself to her
society; and, as she put forth all her powers to win his admiration,
she succeeded.

Grace had done her part to assist John in his hospitable intents, by
securing the prompt co-operation of the Fergusons. The very first
evening after their arrival, old Mrs. Ferguson, with Letitia and Rose,
called, not formally but socially, as had always been the custom
of the two families. Dick Follingsbee was out, enjoying an evening
cigar,--a circumstance on which John secretly congratulated himself
as a favorable feature in the case. He felt instinctively a sort of
uneasy responsibility for his guests; and, judging the Fergusons
by himself, felt that their call was in some sort an act of
self-abnegation on his account; and he was anxious to make it as easy
as possible. Mrs. Follingsbee was presentable, so he thought; but he
dreaded the irrepressible Dick, and had much the same feeling about
him that one has on presenting a pet spaniel or pointer in a lady's
parlor,--there was no answering for what he might say or do.

The Fergusons were disposed to make themselves most amiable to Mrs.
Follingsbee; and, with this intent. Miss Letitia started the subject
of her Parisian experiences, as being probably one where she would
feel herself especially at home. Mrs. Follingsbee of course expanded
in rapturous description, and was quite clever and interesting.

"You must feel quite a difference between that country and this, in
regard to facilities of living," said Miss Letitia.

"Ah, indeed! do I not?" said Mrs. Follingsbee, casting up her eyes.
"Life here in America is in a state of perfect disorganization."

"We are a young people here, madam," said John. "We haven't had time
to organize the smaller conveniences of life."

"Yes, that's what I mean," said Mrs. Follingsbee. "Now, you men don't
feel