ead was certainly very dirty, though it probably
differed but little from most bachelors' quarters in that region. The
stove-baked clods of the previous ploughing still littered the floor; the
dust that was thick everywhere doubtless came in with our last thrashing;
and the dishes I had used during the last few weeks reposed unwashed among
it. But Aline was clearly a woman of action.

"You shockingly untidy man!" she said severely. "Carry my trunk into my
room, quick. I am going to put on an old dress, and make you help me clean
up first thing. Tired?--after lounging on soft cushions--when I tramped
miles of muddy streets carrying heavy books every day. You won't get out
of it that way. Go away, and bring me some water--bring lots of it."

When I came back from the well, with a filled cask in the wagon, she had
already put on a calico wrapper and both doors and windows were open wide,
and I hardly recognized the dwelling when we had finished what Aline said
was only the first stage of the proceedings. Then I lighted the stove,
and, returning after stabling the horses, found her waiting at the head of
a neatly-set table covered with a clean white cloth, which she had
doubtless brought with her, for such things were not included in the
Fairmead inventory. The house seemed brighter for her presence, though I
sighed as I pictured Grace in her place, and then reflected that many
things must be added before Fairmead was fit for Grace. I had begun to
learn a useful lesson in practical details. Aline noticed the sigh, and
plied me with questions, until when, for the nights were getting chilly,
we sat beside the twinkling stove, I told her as much as I thought it was
desirable that she should know. Aline was two years my junior, and I had
no great confidence as yet in her wisdom.

She listened with close attention, and then said meditatively: "I hope
that some day you will be happy. No, never mind explaining that you must
be--marriage is a great lottery. But why, you foolish boy, must you fall
in love with the daughter of that perfectly awful man! There was some one
so much nicer at home, you know, and I feel sure she was very fond of you.
Alice is a darling, even if she has not much judgment in such matters. Oh,
dear me, what am I saying now!"

"Good Lord!" I said, startled by an idea that hitherto had never for a
moment occurred to me. "I beg your pardon; but you are only a young girl,
Aline. Of course you must be mistaken,