notions her children were imbibing at school. They always spoke with
more respect of their teachers' opinions than of hers, and would allude
to subjects they were learning as if they did not expect her to
understand them. Sometimes they assumed little airs of patronage towards
her. Among themselves they occasionally referred to her as "Only
Mother!"

Diana, thinking it all carefully over, raged mentally. "I guess I've got
to make those Flemings admire their mother!" she said to herself. "Just
how to do it beats me at present, but I don't give up. I'd like to fix
her hair for her if I dared. She strains it back till she looks like a
skinned rabbit, and her dresses were made in the year one, I should say.
She's a dear, all the same, though. If she could only be cured of
feeling on the shelf, she'd grow ten years younger."

Having set herself the surprising undertaking of rejuvenating Mrs.
Fleming, Diana went warily to work. It would certainly not do to
reproach Meg, Elsie, and the boys for lack of appreciation of their
mother; they would simply have stared in utter amazement. Somehow, by
hook or by crook, she must be made to shine, so as to command their
honest admiration. Diana catalogued her personal attractions:

1. A really quite classical nose.

2. A nice, neat mouth.

3. Good teeth.

4. A pretty colour when she gets hot or excited.

5. Quite fascinating brown eyes.

6. Hair that would be lovely if it were only decently done, instead
of scooped away and screwed into a tight knob at the back.

Anybody with these points might make so much of them, if they only knew
how to use them properly. Diana wondered if it would be possible to buy
a book on the secrets of fascination. It was just the element that was
lacking. Putting personality aside, she began probing into the extent of
her friend's mental equipment. She induced her to bring out the
water-colour sketches of former years, and even wrung from her a half
promise that some day--when the weather was nice, and if she had
time--she would paint a picture of the church.

"The boys would each like a sketch of their mother's to take to school
with them," decreed Diana. "Monty would have his framed and hang it in
his study, and show it to all his friends as _your_ work."

"Why, so he might," said Mrs. Fleming, looking much surprised. The idea
had evidently never occurred to her before.

From painting, Diana passed to other accomplishments. Mrs.