ear quarrelling. And you know how Sophia will
insist upon explaining. She will call up the servants, and 'fend and
prove,' and make complaints and regrets, and in the long end have all on
her own side. And I can tell you that Ann has been queer lately, and
Elizabeth talks of leaving at Martinmas. O Charlotte! put up with
things, my dear. There is only you to help me."

Charlotte could not resist such appeals. She knew she was really the
hand to which all other hands in the house looked, the heart on which
her father and mother leaned their weary hearts; still, she could not
but resent many an unkind position, which Sophia's clever tactics
compelled her to take. For instance, as she was leaving the room one
morning, Sophia said in her blandest voice, "Dear Charlotte, will you
tell Ann to make one of those queen puddings for Julius. He does enjoy
them so much."

Ann did not receive the order pleasantly. "They are a sight of trouble,
Miss Charlotte. I'll be hard set with the squire's fancies to-day. And
there is as good as three dinners to make now, and I must say a queen's
pudding is a bit thoughtless of you." And Charlotte felt the injustice
she was too proud to explain to a servant. But even to Sophia, complaint
availed nothing. "You must give extra orders yourself to Ann in the
future," she said. "Ann accuses me of being thoughtless in consequence
of them."

"As if I should think of interfering in your duties, Charlotte. I hope I
know better than that. You would be the first to complain of my 'taking
on' if I did, and I should not blame you. I am only a guest here now.
But I am sure a little queen pudding is not too much to ask, in one's
own father's house too. Julius has not many fancies I am sure, but such
a little thing."

"Julius can have all the fancies he desires, only do please order them
from Ann yourself."

"Well, I never! I am sure father and mother would never oppose a little
pudding that Julius fancies."

Does any one imagine that such trials as these are small and
insignificant? They are the very ones that make the heart burn, and the
teeth close on the lips, and the eyes fill with angry tears. They take
hope out of daily work, and sunshine out of daily life, and slay love as
nothing else can slay it. There was an evil spirit in the house,--a
small, selfish, envious, malicious spirit; people were cross, and they
knew not why; felt injured, and they knew not why; the days were harder
than those drea