judgment giving
its last caution a hearing.

What was the use indeed!

In the end Elizabeth consented--consented with kindliness of manner. Since
she was going to do it at all she would do it lovingly. She argued herself
into that mood before she agreed to the move. Her mother had a hard life;
on one who knew her doubted that fact. Neither would any one have doubted
that Mr. Farnshaw led a hard life also. Some devil of unrest demanded
excitement and disagreement.

"Keep the folks in a good humour," Luther had said.

Elizabeth had no support from any quarter. She could only consent.

"I'll do it, ma," she agreed. "I am going away to be happy. John and his
mother never have a word together that isn't pleasant."

"I hope so," Mrs. Farnshaw said with relief, "but men don't always treat
their wives like they do their mothers. It's something they get t' feel
about their wives that's th' trouble. Women think th' only way t' be good
wives's t' give up--an' men think so too. Women's most always afraid of
what th' men 'll think, an' th' men know it."

"Well, ma, come on! There's lots to do; let's get at it."

Elizabeth was in no mood to philosophize. She hated the coming conference
with her father to the utter exclusion of every other thought at that
moment, and had hardly heard what her mother had said.

"You'll never regret bein' good t' your old mother," Mrs. Farnshaw said,
rubbing her hand over the girl's glossy braids as Elizabeth turned away to
begin the work she had suggested. "My! it don't seem like six weeks since
I was your age--young an' startin' out--an' life looked good t' me, I kin
tell you. Now I ain't got nothin' t' be good t' me but you."

"I think I'll wash my hair before the sun gets low," Elizabeth said. "Then
I'll help you in here." She was disturbed about the promise she had given
and wanted to get away from her mother before she should say some unlucky
thing that would show it. She let her hair down and loosened it with a
toss of her head. It was a glittering garment which covered her from head
to knees in wavy strands which flew about her in lines of beauty as she
moved about getting her hot water and towels. Mrs. Farnshaw watched her
with an expression near real affection. She came over and ran her hands
through the rippling mass as the girl turned to go out of doors where she
could splash comfortably, and after she had gone passed her hands over her
own faded locks slowly.

"Lizzie's always h