and indignant now. Oh, father dear, I wish--I
wish we weren't obliged to have those detestable girls!"

"What, Lucy! Have they come?"

"I should think they have. They'll waylay you in a minute or two."

"Oh, no, my dear. I don't specially want to see them now."

"Then let us go straight by this gate into the paddock. I don't suppose
they will find the paddock before to-morrow. Father, I don't think
mother is at all suited to keep a school."

"Lucy, I will not have your dear mother abused. Talk on any other
subject, but I can't stand that."

"I suppose it is very wrong of me."

"It is more than wrong. You can scarcely realize what a good, brave, and
noble woman she is. Who but she would have acted as she has done lately?
She has taken the bull by the horns and saved us from absolute ruin. By
her plucky ways and determination has she not just kept our heads above
water? My dear Lucy, you little know what might have happened but for
your mother's pluck and bravery."

"I know," said Lucy, softened on the spot. "But if she only
wouldn't--wouldn't make so free with them when they come, and if there
might be a little order, and if they could have been postponed till the
resident governesses had arrived. But now they are there, all of them,
as merry and jocular as you like, running about the place, racing here
and there, and devouring all our best fruit, tramping in and out of the
greenhouses and conservatory, and making such a noise just over your
study. It would be much better to give up Sunnyside--anything would be
better than this."

"I don't think so, and you will find after a time that you will like
your school friends. Your education will be finished without any extra
cost whatever. We are being very well paid for these girls, we know they
are all ladies, and your mother will be happy and in her element. How
could you turn your dear mother into a precise, stately woman? It isn't
in her, and you would not wish it to be."

"I don't know," said Lucy. "I think I would. But, father, you always
make me ashamed of myself. You, who suffer so much, are so good, so
patient."

"If I am good and patient it is because of my dear wife and my dear
daughter," said the man sadly. "And now, Lucy darling, go back to them
all and try to help your mother. The governesses will come to-morrow,
and the day after lessons will begin. In a week's time you will see
perfect order arising out of chaos, and you will be surprised at your