n which all these
laudations were reiterated, and in the course of which Traverse wrote
these innocent words: "I have known Clare Day scarcely twelve hours, and
I admire her as much as I love you! and oh, Herbert! If you could only
rise to be a major-general and marry Clare Day, I should be the happiest
fellow alive!" Would Traverse as willingly dispose of Clare's hand a
year or two after this time? I trow not!

The next morning after breakfast Mrs. Rocke gave in her decision.

"Tell the doctor, Traverse," she said, "that I understand and appreciate
his kindness; that I will not break up my humble home as yet, but I will
lock up my house and come a month, on trial. If I can perform the duties
of the situation satisfactorily, well and good! I will remain; if not,
why then, having my home still in possession, I can return to it."

"Wise little mother! She will not cut down the bridge behind her!"
exclaimed Traverse, joyfully, as he bade his mother good-by for the day,
and hastened up to Willow Heights with her answer. This answer was
received by the good doctor and his lovely daughter with delight as
unfeigned as it was unselfish. They were pleased to have a good
housekeeper, but they were far better pleased to offer a poor struggling
mother a comfortable and even luxurious home.

On the next Monday morning Mrs. Rocke having completed all her
arrangements, and closed up the house, entered upon the duties of her
new situation.

Clara gave her a large, airy bed-chamber for her own use, communicating
with a smaller one for the use of her son; besides this, as housekeeper,
she had of course, the freedom of the whole house.

Traverse watched with anxious vigilance to find out whether the efforts
of his mother really improved the condition of the housekeeping, and was
delighted to find that the coffee was clearer and finer-flavored; the
bread whiter and lighter; the cream richer, the butter fresher, and the
beefsteak juicier than he had ever known them to be on the doctor's
table; that on the dinner table, from day to day, dishes succeeded each
other in a well-ordered variety and well-dressed style--in a word, that,
in every particular, the comfort of the family was greatly enhanced by
the presence of the housekeeper, and that the doctor and his daughter
knew it.

While the doctor and his student were engaged in the library, Clara
spent many hours of the morning in Mrs. Rocke's company, learning the
arts of domestic eco