going away."

"You were going to tell me what exactly a 'standard' is, Mr. Linden? At
least!"--said Faith correcting herself,--"I was going to ask you."

"There is a very intimate connexion between the two things," said Mr.
Linden smiling. "A standard, in this sense, is simply some fixed rule
of the _ought to be_, by which the _is_ must be tried. Standard coin is
that made according to the precise government regulation, and is the
test of all other in the realm, as to size, weight, and alloy. So of
standard weights and measures. For some things we have the Bible
standard,--for most, each person has his own."

"Then Mr. Linden," said Faith, "I think my 'ideal' of Melancholy is
something disagreeable."

"I don't believe you have any!" said he laughing. "You mean your idea,
Miss Faith."

"Do I?" said Faith. "But perhaps you have such a thing, Mr. Linden;
isn't it disagreeable?"

"Not at all--and besides I haven't any. But the ideal of Melancholy is
about as much like the reality, as a picture of the Tragic Muse is like
the fifth act of a tragedy."

That Faith did not know the meaning of tragedy, was a fact which she
wisely and self-denyingly kept to herself, and for the present turned
her attention to supplying her mother with a fresh waffle. And so with
various bits of talk, tea came to an end, and Mrs. Derrick was called
out to discuss some important matter with Mr. Skip.

"Mother," said Faith finding her opportunity, "I asked Mr. Linden, and
he will do that."--A little shadow came over Mrs. Derrick's face.

"Well, child?" she said gently.

"Mother--I have asked _him_,--will you speak to Mr. Skip and Cindy?"

"I can't child--" said her mother, with the same tone and look. "I'll
go in myself, but I can't try to do any more."

"Dear mother--" said Faith,--"I wish you would!"

Her mother turned and kissed her, but the difficulty was clearly not
one to be overcome. The whole subject seemed to bring up some painful
association.

"He'll call them in himself, if you ask him, child."

"Would it be right to ask him, mother?"

"Why yes!" said Mrs. Derrick--"I don't see why not. One of you must."

With this thought Faith went back to the sitting-room. Clearly there
was some strong feeling against her being the one, for after a little
sober silent waiting, she spoke.

"Mr. Linden--would you rather I should ask Cindy and Mr. Skip to come
in?--or will you?"

He knew, better than she did, how well the question