ies
had nothing to do, but to sit with your hands before you entertaining
company."

Meta laughed heartily. "Shall I begin at the beginning? I'll describe
to-day then, and you must understand that this is what Tom would call a
mild specimen--only one evening engagement. Though, perhaps, I ought to
start from last night at twelve o'clock, when she was at the Austrian
Ambassador's ball, and came home at two; but she was up by eight--she
always manages to get through her housekeeping matters before breakfast.
At nine, breakfast, and baby--by the bye, you have never inquired for
our niece."

"I have not come to believe in her yet," said Harry.

"Seeing is believing," said Meta; "but no, I won't take an unfair
advantage over her mamma; and she will be fast asleep; I never knew a
child sleep as she does. So to go on with our day. The papers come, and
Miss Leonora is given over to me; for you must know we are wonderful
politicians. Flora studies all the debates till George finds out what
he has heard in the House, and baby and I profit. Baby goes out walking,
and the post comes. Flora always goes to the study with George, and
writes, and does all sorts of things for him. She is the most useful
wife in the world. At twelve, we had our singing lesson--"

"Singing lesson!" exclaimed Harry.

"Yes, you know she has a pretty voice, and she is glad to cultivate it.
It is very useful at parties, but it takes up a great deal of time,
and with all I can do to save her in note-writing, the morning is gone
directly. After luncheon, she had to ride with George, and came back in
a hurry to make some canvassing calls about the orphan asylum, and Miss
Bracy's sister. If we get her in at all, it will be Flora's diplomacy.
And there was shopping to do, and when we came in hoping for time for
our letters, there were the Walkinghames, who stayed a long time, so
that Flora could only despatch the most important notes, before George
came in and wanted her. She was reading something for him all the time
she was dressing, but, as I say, this is quite a quiet day."

"Stop!" cried Harry, with a gesture of oppression, "it sounds harder
than cleaning knives, like Aunt Flora! And what is an unquiet day like?"

"You will see, for we have a great evening party to-morrow."

"Do you always stay at home?" asked Harry.

"Not always, but I do not go to large parties or balls this year," said
Meta, glancing at her deep mourning; "I am very glad of a lit