ic society
and your reading circle and your directors' meeting, the children see
about as much of you as you do of them. How many nights in a week do
you give to us, Robert? Do you think it is strange that the children
go outside for their amusements? Our home"--Mrs. Hardy paused and
looked around at the costly interior of the room where the two
were--"our home is well furnished with everything but our own children."

The man on the lounge was silent. He felt the sharpness of the thrust
made by his wife, and knew it was too true to be denied. But Mr. Hardy
was, above all things else, selfish. He had not the remotest intention
of giving up his club or his scientific society or his frequent cosy
dinners with business men down town because his wife spent so many
lonely deserted evenings at home, and because his children were almost
strangers to him. But it annoyed him, as a respectable citizen, to
have his children making acquaintances that he did not approve, and it
grated on his old-fashioned, inherited New England ideas that his boys
and girls should be away from home so often in the evening, and
especially on Sunday evening. The maxim of Robert Hardy's life was
"Self-interest first." As long as he was not thwarted in his own
pleasures he was as good-natured as the average man. He provided
liberally for the household expenses, and his wife and children were
supplied with money and the means to travel as they requested it. But
the minute he was crossed in his own plans, or anyone demanded of him a
service that compelled some self-denial, he became hard, ill-natured,
and haughty.

He had been a member of the church at Barton for twenty-five years, one
of the trustees, and a liberal giver. He prided himself on that fact.
But so far as giving any of his time or personal service was concerned,
he would as soon have thought of giving all his property away to the
first poor man he met. His minister had this last week written him an
earnest, warm-hearted letter, expressing much pleasure at the service
he had rendered so many years as a trustee, and asking him if he would
not come to the Wednesday evening meeting that week and take some part,
whatever he chose, to help along. It was a season of anxious interest
among many in the church, and the pastor earnestly desired the presence
and help of all the members.

Robert had read the letter through hastily and smiled a little
scornfully. What! _he_ take part in a