ult, for
fibbing Steve was now the tidy one, and careless Mac the truth teller.
But such small contradictions will happen in the best-regulated
families, and all perplexed parents can do is to keep up a steadfast
preaching and practicing in the hope that it will bear fruit sometime,
for according to an old proverb, Children pick up words as pigeons
pease, To utter them again as God shall please.

"I hope they won't dance the child to death among them, for each one
seems bound to have his turn, even your sober Mac," said Mrs. Jessie a
few minutes later as she saw Archie hand Rose over to his cousin, who
carried her off with an air of triumph from several other claimants.

"She's very good to him, and her influence is excellent, for he is of an
age now when a young woman's opinion has more weight than an old one's.
Though he is always good to his mother, and I feel as if I should take
great comfort in him. He's one of the sort who will not marry till late,
if ever, being fond of books and a quiet life," responded Mrs. Jane,
remembering how often her son had expressed his belief that philosophers
should not marry and brought up Plato as an example of the serene
wisdom to be attained only by a single man while her husband sided with
Socrates, for whom he felt a profound sympathy, though he didn't dare to
own it.

"Well, I don't know about that. Since my Archie surprised me by losing
his heart as he did, I'm prepared for anything, and advise you to do
likewise. I really shouldn't wonder if Mac did something remarkable in
that line, though he shows no sign of it yet, I confess," answered Mrs.
Jessie, laughing.

"It won't be in that direction, you may be sure, for her fate is sealed.
Dear me, how sad it is to see a superior girl like that about to throw
herself away on a handsome scapegrace. I won't mention names, but you
understand me." And Mrs. Jane shook her head, as if she could mention
the name of one superior girl who had thrown herself away and now saw
the folly of it.

"I'm very anxious, of course, and so is Alec, but it may be the saving
of one party and the happiness of the other, for some women love to give
more than they receive," said Mrs. Jessie, privately wondering, for
the thousandth time, why brother Mac ever married the learned Miss
Humphries.

"You'll see that it won't prosper, and I shall always maintain that a
wife cannot entirely undo a mother's work. Rose will have her hands
full if she tries to