ell-tale moisture gathering in her eyes.

"And what do you call me, my Violet?" he asked, putting his arm about
her, and drawing her close to his side.

"The kindest, best, dearest of husbands, the noblest of men!"

"Ah, my dear! who is the flatterer now?" he laughed. "I'm afraid you and
I might be accused of forming a mutual admiration society."

"Well, what if we do? isn't it the very best sort of a society for
husband and wife to form? Levis, am I to have no duties in this house?
none of the cares and labors that the mistress of an establishment is
usually expected to assume?"

"You shall have no care of housekeeping that I can save you from," he
said. "I undertake that, with Christine as my head assistant; though
you, of course, are mistress, with the right to give orders and
directions whenever you will--to housekeeper, servants, children, even
to your husband if you see fit," he concluded with a humorous look and
smile.

"The idea of my ordering you whom I have promised to obey," she returned
merrily. "But I'm afraid you are going to spoil me. Am I to have nothing
to do?"

"You are to do exactly what you please," he said: "the care and training
of our little one, aside from all the assistance to be had from
servants, will furnish you with no small amount of employment."

"But you will help me with that?"

"Certainly, love; I intend to be as good and faithful a father to her as
I know how to be: but you are her mother, and will do a mother's part by
her, I know. Then, there are wifely duties which you would not wish to
delegate to any one else."

"No, never!" she cried. "O my dear husband! it is the greatest pleasure
in life to do any thing I can to add to your comfort and happiness."

"I know it, sweet wife. Ah!" glancing at his watch, "I must tear myself
away now from your dear society, and attend to the duties of employer
and teacher. I have some directions to give both _employees_ and
children."

Grace ran and opened the schoolroom door at the sound of her father's
approaching footsteps.

"See, papa," she said, "we are all here, waiting for you to come, and
tell us what lessons to learn."

"Yes, you are good, punctual children," he replied, glancing at the
pretty little clock on the mantel; "for it still wants five minutes to
nine."

"Papa, I know what lessons to learn, of course," remarked Lulu; "but the
others are waiting for you to tell them."

"Yes. I shall examine Max first," the capta