hat?" asked Jemima, when she saw her mother was not going
to finish the sentence.

"Not all because Mrs Denbigh came to tea here," replied Mrs Bradshaw.

"Why, what else could he be thanking her for? What has she done?"
asked Jemima, stimulated to curiosity by her mother's hesitating
manner.

"I don't know if I ought to tell you," said Mrs Bradshaw.

"Oh, very well!" said Jemima, rather annoyed.

"Nay, dear! your papa never said I was not to tell; perhaps I may."

"Never mind! I don't want to hear," in a piqued tone.

There was silence for a little while. Jemima was trying to think of
something else, but her thoughts would revert to the wonder what Mrs
Denbigh could have done for her father.

"I think I may tell you, though," said Mrs Bradshaw, half
questioning.

Jemima had the honour not to urge any confidence, but she was too
curious to take any active step towards repressing it.

Mrs Bradshaw went on. "I think you deserve to know. It is partly your
doing that papa is so pleased with Mrs Denbigh. He is going to buy
her a silk gown this morning, and I think you ought to know why."

"Why?" asked Jemima.

"Because papa is so pleased to find that you mind what she says."

"I mind what she says! To be sure I do, and always did. But why
should papa give her a gown for that? I think he ought to give it me
rather," said Jemima, half laughing.

"I am sure he would, dear; he will give you one, I am certain, if
you want one. He was so pleased to see you like your old self to Mr
Farquhar last night. We neither of us could think what had come over
you this last month; but now all seems right."

A dark cloud came over Jemima's face. She did not like this close
observation and constant comment upon her manners; and what had Ruth
to do with it?

"I am glad you were pleased," said she, very coldly. Then, after a
pause, she added, "But you have not told me what Mrs Denbigh had to
do with my good behaviour."

"Did not she speak to you about it?" asked Mrs Bradshaw, looking up.

"No; why should she? She has no right to criticise what I do. She
would not be so impertinent," said Jemima, feeling very uncomfortable
and suspicious.

"Yes, love! she would have had a right, for papa had desired her to
do it."

"Papa desired her! What do you mean, mamma?"

"Oh, dear! I dare say I should not have told you," said Mrs Bradshaw,
perceiving, from Jemima's tone of voice, that something had gone
wrong. "Only you spoke as if