all its tranquillity
and comforts,--that John, under her influence, should speak of the
Springdale life as _stupid_,--was a little drop too much in her cup. A
bright streak appeared in either cheek, as she said,--

"Well, John, I never knew you found Springdale stupid before. I'm
sure, we _have_ been happy here,"--and her voice quavered.

"Pshaw, Gracie! you know what I mean. I don't mean that _I_ find
it stupid. I don't like the kind of rattle-brained life we've been
leading this six weeks. But, then, it just suits Lillie; and it's so
sweet and patient of her to come here and give it all up, and say not
a word of regret; and then, you see, I shall be just up to my ears in
business now, and can't give up all my time to her, as I have. There's
ever so much law business coming on, and all the factory matters at
Spindlewood; and I can see that Lillie will have rather a hard time of
it. You must devote yourself to her, Gracie, like a dear, good soul,
as you always were, and try to get her interested in our kind of life.
Of course, all our set will call, and that will be something; and
then--there will be some invitations out."

"Oh, yes, John! we'll manage it," said Grace, who had by this time
swallowed her anger, and shouldered her cross once more with a womanly
perseverance. "Oh, yes! the Fergusons, and the Wilcoxes, and the
Lennoxes, will all call; and we shall have picnics, and lawn teas, and
musicals, and parties."

"Yes, yes, I see," said John. "Gracie, _isn't_ she a dear little
thing? Didn't she look cunning in that white wrapper this morning? How
do women do those things, I wonder?" said John. "Don't you think her
manners are lovely?"

"They are very sweet, and she is charmingly pretty," said Grace; "and
I love her dearly."

"And so affectionate! Don't you think so?" continued John. "She's a
person that you can do any thing with through her heart. She's all
heart, and very little head. I ought not to say that, either. I think
she has fair natural abilities, had they ever been cultivated."

"My dear John," said Grace, "you forget what time it is. Good-night!"

CHAPTER VII.

_WILL SHE LIKE IT_?

"John," said Grace, "when are you going out again to our Sunday school
at Spindlewood? They are all asking after you. Do you know it is now
two months since they have seen you?"

"I know it," said John. "I am going to-morrow. You see, Gracie, I
couldn't well before."

"Oh! I have told them all about it