e, eagerly putting a note
into her hand.

She opened it and read:

Willow Heights--Monday.

Dear Madam--My little daughter Clara, fourteen years of age, has
just returned from boarding-school to pursue her studies at home.
Among other things, she must learn domestic affairs, of which she
knows nothing. If you will accept the position of housekeeper and
matronly companion of my daughter, I will make the terms such as
shall reconcile you to the change. We shall also do all that we can
to make you happy. Traverse will explain to you the details. Take
time to think of it, but if possible let us have your answer by
Traverse when he comes to-morrow. If you accede to this proposition
you will give my daughter and myself sincere satisfaction.

Yours truly,
WILLIAM DAY.

Marah finished reading, and raised her eyes, full of amazement, to the
face of her son.

"Mother!" said Traverse, speaking fast and eagerly, "they say they
really cannot do without you! They have troops of servants; but the old
cook is in her dotage and does all sorts of strange things, such as
frying buckwheat cakes in lamp oil and the like!"

"Oh, hush! what exaggeration!"

"Well, I don't say she does that exactly, but she isn't equal to her
situation without a housekeeper to look after her, and they want you
very much, indeed!"

"And what is to become of your home, if I break up?" suggested the
mother.

"Oh, that is the very best of it! The doctor says if you consent to come
that I must also live there, and that then he can have his medical
assistant always at hand, which will be very convenient!"

Marah smiled dubiously.

"I do not understand it, but one thing I do know, Traverse! There is not
such a man as the doctor appears in this world more than once in a
hundred years."

"Not in a thousand years, mother, and as for his daughter--oh, you
should see Miss Clara, mother! Her father calls her Clare--Clare Day!
how the name suits her! She is so fair and bright! with such a warm,
thoughtful, sunny smile that goes right to your heart! Her face is,
indeed, like a clear day, and her beautiful smile is the sunshine that
lights it up!" said the enthusiastic youth, whose admiration was as yet
too simple and single-hearted and unselfish to tie his tongue.

The mother smiled at his earnestness--smiled without the least
misgiving; for, to her apprehension, the youth was still a boy, to