hat you know
them a little better, let us go into the dining-room and see what they
are doing. Meetings at the Dering table are always lively ones, "Good
for digestion and spirits," said papa Dering, so everybody talked and
laughed and ate heartily, and went away without sour faces or sour
stomachs. To-night, though, there is a change. Mr. Dering had a remark
for each of the girls as they came in, then lapsed into silence, and
stirred his coffee absently. Even Mrs. Dering could not hide a little
anxiety, though she tried to be gay and interested in the girls' talk,
as usual. With Olive's words fresh in their minds, the rest closely
watched the faces of both parents, and each girl had thoughts and made
plans, in every way characteristic of their respective selves.

Mr. Dering presently broke a silence by asking to be excused, as he must
go back to the store--two most unusual things; for he always sat and
talked at supper 'till all were through, and rarely ever let anything
take him away from an evening at home; so no wonder the meal was
shortened, and the party broke up.

"Oh how nice!" cried Jean, as they returned to the sitting-room, where
in their absence, a bright fire had been built in the grate, and filled
the room with a warm rosy glow. "Here's my seat."

"We'll tell our secrets by the first fire of the season," said Mrs.
Dering, as the girls all followed Jean's example, by pulling their
chairs into the circle of warmth and light. "I thought it was so chilly
this evening that firelight would be more cosy and cheerful than a lamp.
Now then, who shall begin?"

"Oh you, please," cried Kittie. "We are so anxious."

Every face warmly seconded her words, so Mrs. Dering began, after a
moment's silence.

"When you were all little children mama never let anything worry or
disturb you if she could help it, and if anything ever did, you came
right to her to be comforted and helped. Papa never let you be cold or
hungry, and without clothes, or be sick, if he could help it, and they
both loved you tenderly, didn't they?"

"Why goodness, yes!" cried Kat, with glistening, astonished eyes.

"And now that you have become such big daughters, they love you none the
less, but more if possible; because now they must give you more thought
as you grow to womanhood. Now if----"

"Oh you needn't say another word!" cried Beatrice impulsively. "You look
as if you didn't know how to tell us; but we know. Your secret is the
same as