e without one.
We don't know what to do. Please, please help us."

"How would a Dutch oven do?" suggested Mrs. Gordon.

"What's that? How's it made?"

Mrs. Gordon explained: "It's made of brick, and----"

"How good you are. Who'll make it?"

Mrs. Gordon could not find it in her heart to disappoint the girls, so
she furnished the materials, and had a darky make the oven. When done,
it was somewhat clumsy, but it looked serviceable.

"Beth," said Julia, "we can't be just you and me. We must be man and
wife. Our names will be Mr. and Mrs. Newbeginner. I'm John
Newbeginner, and----"

"I'd rather be the man, because he's the head of the family and he
doesn't work so hard. Besides, I don't want a little bit of a man like
you. I'm the taller."

"Well, but I'm the elder, and the elder is always the man."

"All right, but you have to help about the house. You can't go away to
business."

"Let's stay here all night, to-night."

Away they ran to beg permission.

The two mothers, however, seriously objected. Finally the young couple
were pacified by Mrs. Newbeginner being allowed to spend the night with
her spouse at the Gordon homestead which adjoined the Newbeginner
mansion.

The next morning, Mrs. Newbeginner awakened at peep of day. She gave
Mr. Newbeginner a poke and then jumped out of bed.

"Jul--John, I mean, it's time to get up and build the fire."

"Leave me alone," snapped Mr. Newbeginner in a truly masculine style.

"But Jul--John, you know we are going to get our own breakfast, and I
can't build the fire all by myself. Please get up."

Thus entreated, Mr. Newbeginner condescended to arise. His wife was
already dressing.

Together they descended to the kitchen, and Jemima, the cook, furnished
them with some uncooked steak, some potatoes, butter, material to make
cakes, and other necessaries.

The fire was soon built. Then such a hustling as ensued. Mr. and Mrs.
Newbeginner had many a dispute before breakfast was ready. Mrs.
Newbeginner might have foreseen the result of allowing a man in her
kitchen.

Such a running back and forth as there was between their house and the
Gordons'; for the Newbeginners began housekeeping by borrowing almost
everything.

Mr. Newbeginner insisted that he knew how to make pancakes better than
his wife. She therefore allowed him to try his hand at them while she
cooked the meat and potatoes. Her part of the breakfast was ready
before his. Thereu