t on when she is my mother-in-law I don't know!" cried Kitty, clasping
her hands in dismay at the idea.

"She isn't half as stern as she looks, and if you go to her without
fear, you've no idea how sensible and helpful she is. I used to be
frightened out of my wits with her, but now I'm not a bit, and we get on
nicely. Indeed, I'm fond of her, she is so reliable and upright in all
things."

"She certainly is the straightest woman I ever saw, and the most
precise. I never shall forget how scared I was when Steve took me up to
see her that first time. I put on all my plainest things, did my hair
in a meek knob, and tried to act like a sober, sedate young woman. Steve
would laugh at me and say I looked like a pretty nun, so I couldn't be
as proper as I wished. Mrs. Mac was very kind, of course, but her eye
was so sharp I felt as if she saw right through me, and knew that I'd
pinned on my bonnet strings, lost a button off my boot, and didn't brush
my hair for ten minutes every night," said Kitty in an awe-stricken
tone.

"She likes you, though, and so does Uncle, and he's set his heart on
having you live with them by and by, so don't mind her eyes but look
straight up at her, and you'll see how kind they can grow."

"Mac likes me, too, and that did please me, for he doesn't like girls
generally. Steve told me he said I had the 'making of a capital little
woman in me.' Wasn't it nice of him? Steve was so proud, though he does
laugh at Mac sometimes."

"Don't disappoint them, dear. Encourage Steve in all the good things he
likes or wants, make friends with Mac, love Aunt Jane, and be a daughter
to Uncle, and you'll find yourself a very happy girl."

"I truly will, and thank you very much for not making fun of me. I know
I'm a little goose, but lately I've felt as if I might come to something
if I had the right sort of help. I'll go up and see Aunt Jessie
tomorrow. I'm not a bit afraid of her, and then if you'll just quietly
find out from Uncle Doctor what I must read, I'll work as hard as I
can. Don't tell anyone, please, they'll think it odd and affected, and I
can't bear to be laughed at, though I daresay it is good discipline."

Rose promised, and both worked in silence for a moment, then Kitty asked
rather timidly: "Are you and Charlie trying this plan too? Since you've
left off going out so much, he keeps away also, and we don't know what
to make of it."

"He has had what he calls an 'artistic fit' lately, set u