one thing I do glory in it is a nice flare-up about my head o'
Sundays--of course if the family's not in mourning, I mean.' But, seeing
that Ethelberta did not smile, she turned the subject, and added
docilely: 'Did you come up for me to do anything? I will put off
finishing my bonnet if I am wanted.'

'I was going to talk to you about family matters, and Picotee,' said
Ethelberta. 'But, as you are busy, and I have a headache, I will put it
off till to-morrow.'

Cornelia seemed decidedly relieved, for family matters were far from
attractive at the best of times; and Ethelberta went down to the next
floor, and entered her mother's room.

After a short conversation Mrs. Chickerel said, 'You say you want to ask
me something?'

'Yes: but nothing of importance, mother. I was thinking about Picotee,
and what would be the best thing to do--'

'Ah, well you may, Berta. I am so uneasy about this life you have led us
into, and full of fear that your plans may break down; if they do,
whatever will become of us? I know you are doing your best; but I cannot
help thinking that the coming to London and living with you was wild and
rash, and not well weighed afore we set about it. You should have
counted the cost first, and not advised it. If you break down, and we
are all discovered living so queer and unnatural, right in the heart of
the aristocracy, we should be the laughing-stock of the country: it would
kill me, and ruin us all--utterly ruin us!'

'O mother, I know all that so well!' exclaimed Ethelberta, tears of
anguish filling her eyes. 'Don't depress me more than I depress myself
by such fears, or you will bring about the very thing we strive to avoid!
My only chance is in keeping in good spirits, and why don't you try to
help me a little by taking a brighter view of things?'

'I know I ought to, my dear girl, but I cannot. I do so wish that I
never let you tempt me and the children away from the Lodge. I cannot
think why I allowed myself to be so persuaded--cannot think! You are not
to blame--it is I. I am much older than you, and ought to have known
better than listen to such a scheme. This undertaking seems too big--the
bills frighten me. I have never been used to such wild adventure, and I
can't sleep at night for fear that your tale-telling will go wrong, and
we shall all be exposed and shamed. A story-teller seems such an
impossible castle-in-the-air sort of a trade for getting a living by--I
can