a.

"I will tell him so," said Mary.

"Yes, no," said Meta. "I am not pretending to be anything half so nice."

Mary and Blanche fell upon her for calling herself anything but the
nicest flower in the world; and she contended that she was nothing
better than a parrot-tulip, stuck up in a parterre; and just as the
discussion was becoming a game at romps, Dr. May came in, and the
children shouted to him to say whether his humming-bird were a daisy or
a tulip.

"That is as she comports herself," he said playfully.

"Which means that you don't think her quite done for," said Meta.

"Not quite," said the doctor, with a droll intonation; "but I have not
seen what this morning may have done to her."

"Come and see, then," said Meta. "Flora told me to bring you home--and
it is my birthday, you know. Never mind waiting to tell Ethel. Margaret
will let her know that I'll keep you out of mischief."

As usual, Dr. May could not withstand her, and she carried him off in
triumph in her pony carriage.

"Then you don't give me up yet?" was the first thing she said, as they
were off the stones.

"What have you been doing to make me?" said he.

"Doing or not doing--one or the other," she said. "But indeed I wanted
to have you to myself. I am in a great puzzle!"

"Sir Henry! I hope she won't consult me!" thought Dr. May, as he
answered, "Well, my dear."

"I fear it is a lasting puzzle," she said. "What shall I do with all
this money?"

"Keep it in the bank, or buy railway shares!" said Dr. May, looking
arch.

"Thank you. That's a question for my cousins in the city. I want you to
answer me as no one else can do. I want to know what is my duty now that
I have my means in my own hands?"

"There is need enough around--"

"I do not mean only giving a little here and there, but I want you to
hear a few of my thoughts. Flora and George are kindness itself--but,
you see, I have no duties. They are obliged to live a gay sort of
life--it is their position; but I cannot make out whether it is mine. I
don't see that I am like those girls who have to go out as a matter of
obedience."

Dr. May considered, but could only say, "You are very young."

"Too young to be independent," sighed Meta. "I must grow old enough to
be trusted alone, and in the meantime--"

"Probably an answer will be found," said the doctor. "You and your means
will find their--their vocation."

"Marriage," said Meta, calmly speaking the word that he had