r that I needn't get up for breakfast, I could whoop with
joy. The doctor expected me to rebel. Goodness! I wonder how many
thousand tired women would hail such a prescription--to lie in bed until
eleven; dress quietly, and go down to the sofa; read amusing books; have
a friend to tea; sleep again, to be fresh for the husband's return; to
bed at nine; and _you must not be worried_! My dear, it's Heaven begun
below! I don't say I should like it as a permanency, but as a change
from general servants' work (which is plain English for a middle-class
wife and mother) it is highly refreshing. We'll have to get an extra
maid, of course. I've worked like a slave to keep the house as it must
be kept if I'm to have any peace in life. We have such heaps of silver
and in town it needs constant cleaning, and the mending is everlasting,
and the making for the children, _and_ the shopping, and helping in the
nursery to set nurse free to do some washing. The laundry bills are
ruinous; but you _must_ have children in white! It's a nuisance having
to spend more. It always happens like that with us. Just as we say,
`the next quarter must be lighter; we shall need nothing new,' bang
comes another big drain, and sends us back farther than ever. Money
_is_ a trial! You don't half realise how much you are saved by having a
comfortable income, Vanna. That's a _big_ blessing, and you ought to be
thankful for it."

Vanna considered. No! she was not actively thankful. When at any
special moment the subject was brought before her, she could indeed
realise the benefit of a sufficiency of money, which enabled her to
choose and carry on the work which was most congenial; but as a rule the
accustomed good was calmly taken for granted, and brought no feeling of
joy. She made a mental note, and passed on to the consideration of
Jean's problem.

"Couldn't you contrive to reduce work while you are laid up, dear? Lock
up all the silver that is not absolutely needed, and let the children
wear coloured overalls. I'd make them for you, of a pretty, becoming
blue, which would save half their washing. You might shut up the
drawing-room, too. You can't entertain, and you are comfier here in the
den. It would be so nice if you could avoid extra help. Another
servant in the house would be a trial."

But Jean only smiled with indulgent patronage.

"Oh, my dear, I can't upset everything. And I shall need some one to
wait upon me, and run