no novel opened, no story paper glanced at, until each lesson for the day
was fully prepared."

Zoe's face had brightened very much as she listened.

"O mamma, I see that that is just the way to do it!" she cried, clapping
her hands with glee, "and I'll begin at once. I'll think over all the
daily duties and make out a regular programme, and----"

"Strive earnestly to carry it out, you would say, yet not in your own
strength alone," Elsie added, as Zoe paused, leaving her sentence
unfinished.

"Yes, mamma," she responded in a more serious tone. "And now, I'll run
back to my room and try to be ready for Edward when he comes in again."

She set herself to her tasks with unwonted determination to give her whole
mind to them. Edward came in at length, and was greeted with a bright look
and the announcement in a tone of great satisfaction, "I'm quite ready for
you now."

"I've been thinking we might perhaps as well give it up, Zoe," he answered
gravely, "at least for the present, until you are done working upon those
very fascinating Christmas things."

"Oh no, don't!" she said, flushing and looking ready to cry, "try me a
little longer, Ned; I've been talking with mamma, and I'm really going to
turn over a new leaf and do just as she advises."

"Ah, if you have taken mamma into your counsels there is some hope," he
said in a tone of hearty approval. "But we will have to put off the
recitations until after tea. I must drive over to the Oaks to see Uncle
Horace about a business matter, and I just came up to ask you to go
along."

"Oh, I'll be happy to!" she cried joyously, pushing the books aside and
starting to her feet, "and it won't take me a minute to don hat and
cloak."

He caught her in his arms as she was rushing past him, and kissing her on
cheek and lips, asked in tender tones, "Have I made you unhappy this
afternoon, my love, my darling?"

"Yes, for a little while; but I deserved it, Ned, and I don't mind it now
if--if only you love your foolish, careless little wife as well as ever in
spite of all her faults."

"I love you dearly, dearly, my one own peculiar treasure," he responded,
with another caress of ardent affection, as he let her go.

She was gay and happy as a bird during their drive, and full of enthusiasm
in regard to her new plan, explaining it to Edward, and asking his advice
about the best division of her time, how much should be allotted to this
duty and how much to that.

"I mean