ilary is a
conscientious, hard-working little soul. She has been thrust into a
responsible position too soon, and it is not her fault if she is a
trifle overbearing, poor child. At the same time, it will be a terrible
misfortune if she grows up hard and unsympathetic. Norah is a vivacious
young person, and they tell me she is developing a genius for music.
She is afire to go abroad and study, but I think I have settled her for
the time being with the promise of the best lessons that the
neighbourhood can produce. Lettice--"

"Yes--Lettice?"

"She is a beautiful girl, Helen! You remember what Elma was at her age.
Lettice is going to be quite as lovely; but I am more anxious about her
than any of the others. She is demonstrative herself, and loves
demonstration, and flattery, and appreciation. It's natural, of
course--quite natural--but I don't want her to grow up into a woman who
lives only for admiration, and whose head can be turned by the first
flattering tongue that comes along. What would be the best thing for a
girl with exceptional beauty, and such a disposition as this--?"

Miss Carr gave one of her comical grunts, "Small-pox, I should say!" she
replied brusquely, then softened into a laugh at the sight of her
friend's horrified face. "I see you are like most parents, Austin; all
your geese are swans! Norah a genius, Lettice a beauty, and Hilary a
model housewife! You seem to be in a nest of troubles, poor man; but I
can't undertake to advise you until I know more of the situation. We
will have a pleasant time while you are here--take Miss Consequence
about, and let her see a little life; and then, as you're an old friend,
I'll sacrifice myself on your behalf, and as soon as the weather is
anything like warm, pay you a visit, and see how things are for myself."

"My dear Helen, this is really noble of you. I know your dread of the
`North Countrie,' and I assure you I appreciate your self-sacrifice.
There is no one else in the world who can help me so much as you."

"Well, well, I have an idea; but I won't say anything about it until I
know the girls better. Would you be willing to--"

"Yes, what?"

"Nothing at all. What a silly old woman I am to be sure, when I had
just said that I wouldn't speak of it! It's something for the good of
your girls, Austin, but that's all you will hear about it until I come
to Cloudsdale, and see them for myself."

CHAPTER SIX.

SCARLET SLIPPERS.

So