ut of petulance.

"I doubt if any one really cares for it. But it must be done, and in
this case you and I must consent to do it, at least in part. Now that
you have looked the facts in the face, let us say no more about it,
after we have settled just what we prefer to do. I have always taken
care of my own room. Will you see to yours after this?"

"I s'pose so.

"Then there is the dusting and the plants."

"I'll take the plants," Nan hastened to declare.

"And the dishes on Mondays and Tuesdays?" continued Miss Blake.

There was a pause.

"If there's one thing I despise it's washing dishes," cried the girl,
her voice trembling with irritation.

The governess looked down at her own two delicate little hands and
seemed to be considering. Then she raised her head quickly, and said,
without a shade of resentment in her voice:

"Very well then, dear, I'll take the dishes. So here is the way it
stands: You care for the plants and your own room and I'll look after
my room and do the dusting and the dishes."

"You'll have more to do than I," hesitated Nan.

"No matter; if you do your share well, and don't neglect it, I am
willing to stand by my part. Is it a bargain?"

Nan nodded grimly, and they shook hands upon it.

CHAPTER XV

A TUG OF WAR

"Is Nan in?" asked Ruth, coming to the house one day in the very teeth
of a blinding snowstorm, and putting the question to Delia with a very
decided note of excitement in her voice.

"Yes, she's in; but she's pretty busy," replied Delia, showing the
guest into the dining-room, where the bright logs were blazing
cheerfully in the fireplace, and where Miss Blake, enveloped in a huge
apron, was kneeling before the hearth and polishing its tiles till they
shone like gems. She stopped to welcome the guest in her own hearty,
informal fashion.

"O Ruth! come in and sit down. I wondered who could be brave enough to
face a storm like this. Why, it is almost a blizzard. Take off your
things, dear, and get warmed. You won't mind my going on with my work?"

"Oh, no! not at all. Please don't stop. Thank you. This is as
comfortable as can be. But then, one always is comfortable here. I
came to see Nan about something important. She's busy?"

"Yes, in her room. But if you don't mind waiting a little I think she
will soon be able to come down," responded the governess genially.

"Then I'll sit here, if you don't mind," and the girl settled herself
in a