that Bob Mansell would quit coming here so much when he's
not expected. There's only enough pudding for ourselves."

"Mary," said I sternly, "Mr. Mansell's been coming to this house before
you were here, and he'll keep on coming after you're gone, if you're not
careful."

It was the first time I had ever spoken sharply to her, and I flattered
myself that I had done some good, though she held her head high and left
the room.

Belle came to the conclusion that the housekeeping scheme did not work
smoothly, and she resumed the reins of government. Mary was still
supposed to do the work of a second maid, but it was evident that her
heart was not in it.

"What does Mary want now?" I asked my wife when she took her usual seat
beside me, as I lay on the sofa with my pipe.

"She thinks she'd like to go to the Boston School of Oratory to prepare
herself to be a public reader."

"Is it necessary that she should be before the public in one way or
another?"

"She doesn't seem to be much of a success in private life."

"In that respect she's no worse than half the girls in town. None of
them dote on housework."

"But, considering that this girl has no earthly claim on us, you'd think
she might be different."

"Don't be angry, Belle, at my saying so, but you've only yourself to
thank for that. You've been most anxious that Mary should be just like
one of ourselves--should not feel that she was accepting charity, and
you've succeeded only too well. The girl takes everything you do for her
as her right, and asks for more."

"Well, what about Boston?"

"I think it would be arrant folly to send her there. How do we know she
has any more talent for elocution than for music?"

"She has the desire to learn. I suppose that's a sign of the ability."

"She has an intense desire for admiration, that's about the size of it.
To be the center of all eyes, giving a recitation in a drawing room,
pleases her down to the ground, but it doesn't follow that she would be
a success professionally."

"I dare say we've spent about as much on her education as you care to do
just now."

"We have indeed!"

My wife and I are much in demand at all the social functions of our
town, and, though I accompany her under protest, I confess that, once
the affair is in full swing, I enjoy as much as anybody a hand at
"Pedro" or a dance.

The houses of our city are mostly wooden and mostly new, for an annual
conflagration keeps building brisk. Ha