"Then let me," he said. "If you will hold the desk on the arm of my
chair for five minutes, and give me the pen, I can finish up the thing
easily, and without the least danger of hurting my precious self."

She did as directed. "There, now lie back in your chair, and rest," she
said, when he had finished his note, and signed his name. "You do look a
little tired," she added, with an anxious glance at him as she returned
the desk to the table.

"Nonsense! tired with that slight exertion!" he responded gayly. "You
may read that over, and see if it wants any correction."

She did so, then, turning toward him with an arch smile, asked, "May I
criticise?"

"I should be happy to have the benefit of your criticism," he said,
laughing; "but don't make it too severe, please."

"Oh, no! I was only thinking that mamma, judging of her by myself, would
not be half satisfied with such a bare statement of facts, and that I
had better write a supplement, giving her more of the particulars."

"I highly approve the suggestion," he answered, "only stipulating that
you shall not spend too much time over it, and shall read it to me when
finished."

"I'm afraid it won't be worth your hearing."

"Let me judge of that. If not worth my hearing, can it be worth mamma's
reading?"

"Perhaps so," she said with a blush; "because what I tell will be news
to her, but not to you."

"Ah! I hadn't thought of that. But I shall want to hear it all the same,
and take my turn at criticism."

"If you are not more severe than I was, I can stand it," she said. "And
now please keep quiet till I am done."

He complied, lying back at his ease, and amusing himself with watching
her, admiring the graceful pose of her figure, the pretty face bending
over the paper, and the small, white, shapely hand that was gliding
swiftly back and forth.

"Come," he said at last, "you are making quite too long a story of it."

"Mamma won't think so," she retorted, without looking up; "and you know
you are not obliged to hear it."

"Ah! but that is not the objection; I want to hear every word of it: but
I can't spare my companion and nurse so long."

She turned to him with a bright smile. "What can I do for you, dear?
Just tell me. The letter can be finished afterward, you know."

"I want nothing but you," was the smiling rejoinder. "Finish your
letter, and then come and sit close by my side.

"But no; you must take your accustomed exercise in the open air.