rve.

"Here is your chocolate, mamma," said the girl. She hated the word
"mamma"; but from the first moment of her introduction to Mrs. Lorton,
she had declined to call her by the sacred name of "mother." "I'm afraid
I'm late."

"It is ten minutes past the time," said Mrs. Lorton; "but I do not
complain. I never complain, Eleanor. A Wolfer should at least know how
to suffer in silence. I hope it is hot--really hot; yesterday it was
cold--quite cold, and it caused me that acute indigestion which, I
trust, Eleanor, it will never be your lot to experience."

"I'm sorry, mamma; but yesterday morning you were asleep when I brought
it in, and I did not like to wake you."

"Not asleep, Eleanor," said Mrs. Lorton, with an air of long-suffering
patience--"no, alas! not asleep. My eyes were closed, I have no doubt;
but I was merely thinking. I heard you come in----Surely that is not all
the cream! I have few fancies, Heaven knows; but I have always been
accustomed to half cream and half chocolate, and an invalid suffers
acutely from these deprivations, slight and trifling though they may
appear to one in your robust, I had almost said savage state of health."

"Isn't there as much as usual? I will go and see if there is some
more," said the girl, deftly arranging the tray. "See, it is quite hot
this morning."

"But it will be cold before you return, doubtless," sighed Mrs. Lorton,
with saintly resignation. "And, Eleanor, may I venture to ask you not to
renew the terrible noise with which you have been filling the house for
the last half hour. You know how I dislike crushing the exuberance of
your animal spirits; but such a perfectly barbaric noise tortures my
poor overstrained nerves."

"Yes, mamma. We'll--I'll be quiet."

"Thank you. It is a great deal to ask. I am aware that you think me
exacting. This butter is anything but fresh."

"It was made this morning."

"Please, oh, please do not contradict me, Eleanor! If there is one
characteristic more plainly developed in me than another it is my
unerring taste. This butter is not fresh. But do not mind. I am not
complaining. Do not think that. I merely passed the remark. And if you
are really going to get me my usual quantity of cream, will you do so
now? Cold chocolate two mornings in succession would try my digestion
sadly."

The girl left the room quickly, and as she passed the dining-room door
she looked in to say hurriedly:

"Dry up, Dick. Mamma's been complai