parable companion and plaything, a dilapidated
rag-doll, in his mouth. She lifted them to her lap, where, after much
licking and nuzzling of the doll, he curled himself up to sleep.

"Of course you're succeeding!" cried Isabella. "How could you help it
when you're the cleverest girl in New York and work the hardest
and--have such a nice home to stay in at night!"

"It will soon be nicer," rejoined Henrietta with a laugh, "when we get
rid of its mortgage decoration. Now we can get that all paid off by
the end of the summer and then we'll be sure of a home, whatever
happens."

Mrs. Marne pressed her hand in a closer clasp. "Dear child! You and
Bella are the best children a mother ever had. I've just been thinking
that I really have three children, a son as well as two daughters. For
you're just as good as a son, Harry, besides being a daughter too.
When you were born, dear, I was disappointed that you weren't a boy,
and sorry for you that you weren't."

"Were you sorry about me, too?" demanded Isabella saucily.

"You, dear! Why, when you came--you were the first, you know--I was
too proud and delighted to think of anything but just that I had you.
By the time Harry arrived I had learned more about what it means to be
a woman and I was sorry I had brought another into the world. But I
soon got over all that and was so glad to have you both. After all,
girls, it is a grand thing to be a wife and a mother!"

"Yes, if you can only get your salary raised often enough," said
Isabella gaily. "And I guess," she went on as she saw a little wave of
amusement cross her mother's face, "I'd better have that settled right
away. I'll write to Warren that I shall expect an increase every time
Harry gets one. Tell us more about your raise, Harry. What did Mr.
Brand say?"

"Oh, he was very nice--but he always is nice, just as kind and
courteous as can be. He said he was much pleased with the good
judgment and the care with which I had managed things while he was
away. Before this, when he's been gone for a day or two or three, he
has made some arrangements beforehand and has told me where he would
be so that I could telegraph or 'phone him on the long distance if
necessary. But lately he's been called away twice so suddenly that he
left me no directions and I didn't know his address, and so, although
he was gone only two or three days each time, I had a good deal of
responsibility. But he was very kind and praised everything I did