understand that while our parents have had their ways--and
reasonable ways--there is no reason why we should not have our
ways."

"In other words," said Thaddeus, "what we want to draw up is a sort
of Declaration of Independence."

"That's it, exactly," Bessie replied.

"Better get a slate and write them on that," suggested Thaddeus,
with a broad grin. "Then we can rub out whatever Jane and Ellen
don't like."

"I hate you when you are sarcastic," said Bessie, with a pout, and
then she ran for her pad and pencil.

The evening was passed as she had suggested, and when they retired
that night the house of Perkins was provided with a constitution and
by-laws.

"I don't suppose I shall recognize my surroundings when I get back
home to-night," said Thaddeus, when he waked up in the morning.

"Why not?" asked Bessie. "What strange transformation is there to
be?"

"The discipline will be so strict," answered Thaddeus. "I presume
you will put those rules of ours into operation right away?"

"I have been thinking about that," said Bessie, after a moment.
"You see, Thad, there are a great many things about running a house
that neither you nor I are familiar with yet, and it seems to me
that maybe we'd better wait a little while before we impose these
rules on the girls; it would be awkward to have to make changes
afterwards, you know."

"There is something in that," said Thaddeus; "but, after all, not so
much as you seem to think. All rules have exceptions. I've no
doubt that the cook will take exception to most of them."

"That's what I'm afraid of, and as she's so old I kind of feel as if
I ought to respect her feelings a little more than we would Norah's,
for instance. I can just tell you I shall make Norah stand around."

"I think it would be a good plan if you did," said Thaddeus. "I'm
afraid Norah will die if you don't. She works too hard to be a real
servant--real servants stand around so much, you know."

"Don't be flippant, Thaddeus. This is a very serious matter. Norah
is a good girl, as you say. She works so much and so quickly that
she really makes me tired, and I'm constantly oppressed with the
thought that she may get through with whatever she is doing before I
can think of something else to occupy her time. But with her we
need have none of the feeling that we have with Jane and Ellen. She
is young, and susceptible to new impressions. She can fall in with
new rules, while the other tw