elf. Do your best, and be as honest, useful, and happy as
your father, and I won't care about making a fortune.'

'I'll try, mother. Couldn't have a better chance; for Tiber & Co. treat
their people like gentlemen, and pay generously for faithful work.
Things are done in a businesslike way there, and that suits me. I hate
promises that are not kept, and shiftless or tyrannical ways anywhere.
Mr Tiber said: "This is only to teach you the ropes, Brooke; I shall
have other work for you by and by." Aunty told him I had done book
notices, and had rather a fancy for literature; so though I can't
produce any "works of Shakespeare", as she says, I may get up some
little things later. If I don't, I think it a very honourable and noble
profession to select and give good books to the world; and I'm satisfied
to be a humble helper in the work.'

'I'm glad you feel so. It adds so much to one's happiness to love the
task one does. I used to hate teaching; but housekeeping for my own
family was always sweet, though much harder in many ways. Isn't Aunt Jo
pleased about all this?' asked Mrs Meg, already seeing in her mind's
eye a splendid sign with 'Tiber, Brooke & Co.' over the door of a famous
publishing house.

'So pleased that I could hardly keep her from letting the cat out of the
bag too soon. I've had so many plans, and disappointed you so often, I
wanted to be very sure this time. I had to bribe Rob and Ted to keep her
at home tonight till I'd told my news, she was eager to rush down and
tell you herself. The castles that dear woman has built for me would
fill all Spain, and have kept us jolly while we waited to know our fate.
Mr Tiber doesn't do things in a hurry; but when he makes up his mind,
you are all right; and I feel that I am fairly launched.'

'Bless you, dear, I hope so! It is a happy day for me, because I've been
so anxious lest, with all my care, I have been too easy and indulgent,
and my boy, with his many good gifts, might fritter his time away in
harmless but unsatisfactory things. Now I am at ease about you. If
only Daisy can be happy, and Josie give up her dream, I shall be quite
contented.'

Demi let his mother enjoy herself for a few minutes, while he smiled
over a certain little dream of his own, not ready yet for the telling;
then he said, in the paternal tone which he unconsciously used when
speaking of his sisters:

'I'll see to the girls; but I begin to think grandpa is right in
saying we must eac