that, and more," she replied with a smile. "I should
not think you would fancy staying there much, she has the name of being
a miserable housekeeper, and a shiftless sort of body at the best."

"Why," said the young teacher, generously, "I have not found her so. I
think she is one of the most industrious women in the place."

"Then," said Mrs. Swan, looking with an air of pride around her own neat
little dwelling, "how is it she always has such a dirty looking house,
that you can't bear to eat a mouthful in it, and those ill-kempt, noisy
children, to say nothing of her own slovenly appearance?"

"Because," returned Clemence, in her defence, "she has more work put
upon her than two women ought to do, and with so much expected of her,
it is not to be wondered at that she sometimes fails to achieve
everything."

"But what a figure the woman does make of herself," said Mrs. Swan,
smoothing her own satin hair. "She spoils everything in the making up. I
never saw her in a well made garment, nor her children, either."

"I grant," conceded Clemence, "that she has no taste, but she has little
time for its indulgence, so, perhaps, she is as well off without it. The
poor woman is a perfect drudge. She never has a pitying word, or a
sympathetic look, even from her husband. He seems to think that she is
only filling her appropriate sphere. Yet, I do not think he means to be
cruel. He, works hard himself, and expects every one around him to do
the same."

"I'll tell you what I think about it," said Mrs. Swan, energetically,
"she never was the wife for him. With a woman who had the least
ambition, their home would present a far different aspect. As it is, you
know, Miss Graystone, it _does_ look enough to disgust a neat man like
him. No one can say, either, but what he furnishes liberally everything
necessary for the household, and she is as close and saving as he is,
for all she denies it."

"That is all very true," responded Clemence, "but for all that, I can't
help but pity her. It seems as if their home might be rendered
pleasanter. There is enough material there to bring out, and it only
wants somebody to give them a friendly hint."

"And you think you are just the one to do it, and that it is your
obvious duty, and all that?" said Mrs. Swan. "Now, just take my advice,
and don't burn your fingers meddling with other people's affairs, nor do
any such foolish thing for conscience sake."

"But if I think I ought, 'to do un