removal to
arrange for, and though John was anxious and unhappy he could not leave
Harry and Lucy until they thoroughly understood what was to be done. But
how they enjoyed the old place in anticipation! John smiled to see Harry
from morning to night in deshabille as workmanlike as possible, with a
foot rule or hammer constantly in his hand.

Yes, the London house was all in confusion, but Oh, what a happy
confusion! Lucy was so busy, she hardly knew what to do first, but her
comfortable good-temper suffused the homeliest duties of life with the
sacred glow of unselfish love, and John, watching her sunny
cheerfulness, said to himself,

"Surely God smiled upon her soul before it came to this earth."

In a short time Lucy had got right under the situation. She knew exactly
what ought to be done and did it, being quite satisfied that Harry
should spend his time in measuring accurately and packing with extremest
care his pictures and curios and all the small things so large and
important to himself. And it was not to Harry but to Lucy that John gave
all important instructions, for he soon perceived that it was Harry's
way to rush into the middle of things but never to overtake himself.

At length after ten days of unwearying superintendence, John felt that
Lucy and Harry could be left to manage their own affairs. Now, we like
the people we help and bless, and John during his care for his brother's
family had become much attached to every member of it, for even little
Agnes could now hold out her arms to him and lisp his name. So his last
duty in London was to visit Harry's house and bid them all a short
farewell. He found Harry measuring with his foot rule a box for one of
his finest paintings. It had to be precisely of the size Harry had
decided on and he was as bent on this result as if it was a matter of
great importance.

"You see, John," he said, "it is a very hard thing to make the box fit
the picture. It is really a difficult thing to do."

John smiled and then asked, "Why should you do it, Harry? It would be so
easy _not_ to do it, or to have a man who makes a business of the work
do it for you." And Harry shook his head and began the measurement of
box and picture over again.

"The little chappies are asleep, John, I wouldn't disturb them. Lucy is
in the nursery. You had better tell her anything that ought to be done.
I shall be sure to forget with these measurements to carry in my head."

"Put them on pap