hey are going mad, all over
the country, with incessantly matching of worsteds, now that that kind
of work is all the fashion. And nothing more likely, ma'am, for there
is no getting one's natural rest. I am for ever matching of worsteds in
my dreams; and when I wake, I seem to have had no rest: and, as you see,
directly after breakfast, ladies come for worsteds."

"And Miss Anderson's messenger left a whole bundle of skeins to be
matched for her young ladies, as early as eight this morning," declared
Miss Miskin: "and so we go on."

"It will not be for long, I dare say, Mrs Howell. It is a fashionable
kind of work, that we may soon grow tired of."

"Dear me, ma'am, think how long former generations went on with it!
Think of our grandmothers' work, ma'am, and how we are treading in their
steps. We have the beautifulest patterns now, I assure you. Miss
Miskin will confirm that we sold one, last week, the very day we had
it--the interior of Abbotsford, with Sir Walter, and the furniture, and
the dogs, just like life, I assure you."

"That was beautiful," said Miss Miskin, "but not to compare--"

"Oh, dear, no! not to compare, Miss Grey, with one that we were just
allowed the sight of--not a mere pattern, but a finished specimen--and I
never saw anything so pathetic.--I declare I was quite affected, and so
was Miss Miskin. It was `By the Rivers of Babylon,' most sweetly done!
There were the harps all in cross-stitch, ma'am, and the willows all in
tent-stitch--I never saw anything so touching."

"I don't think mamma will trouble you for many more worsteds for some
time to come, Mrs Howell. When there is going to be a wedding in the
family, there is not much time for fancy-work, you know."

"Dear me, a wedding!" smiled Mrs Howell.

"A wedding! Only think!" simpered Miss Miskin.

"Yes: Mr Hope and my cousin Hester are going to be married. I am sure
they will have your best wishes, Mrs Howell?"

"That they will, ma'am, as I shall make a point of telling Mr Hope.
But Miss Grey, I should think it probable that your mamma may think of
working a drawing-room screen, or perhaps a set of rugs, for the young
folks; and I assure you, she will see no such patterns anywhere as my
agent sends down to me; as I have no doubt you will tell her. And pray,
ma'am, where are Mr Hope and his lady to live? I hope they have
pleased their fancy with a house?"

"That point is not settled yet. It is a thing which requires some