w the proverb, Ethel. Allons. I'll call on Mrs.
Ledwich--"

"Stay," said Dr. May. "Let Ethel do that, and ask her to tea, and we
will show her your drawing of the school."

So the remaining ladies were divided--Ethel was to visit Miss Anderson,
Miss Boulder, and Mrs. Ledwich; Dr. Spencer, the rest, and a meeting, if
possible, be appointed for the next day.

Ethel did as she was told, though rather against the grain, and her
short, abrupt manner was excused the more readily, that Dr. Spencer had
been a subject of much mysterious speculation in Stoneborough, and to
gain any intelligence respecting him, was a great object; so that she
was extremely welcome wherever she called.

Mrs. Ledwich promised to come to tea, and instantly prepared to walk
to Miss Rich, and authorise her to send out the notes of summons to the
morrow's meeting. Ethel offered to walk with her, and found Mrs. and
Miss Rich in a flutter, after Dr. Spencer's call; the daughter just
going to put on her bonnet and consult Mrs. Ledwich, and both extremely
enchanted with Dr. Spencer, who "would be such an acquisition."

The hour was fixed and the notes sent out, and Ethel met Dr. Spencer at
the garden gate.

"Well!" he said, smiling, "I think we have fixed them off--have not we?"

"Yes; but is it not heartless that everything should be done through so
much nonsense?"

"Did you ever hear why the spire of Ulm Cathedral was never finished?"
said Dr. Spencer.

"No; why not?"

"Because the citizens would accept no help from their neighbours."

"I am glad enough of help when it comes in the right way, and from good
motives."

"There are more good motives in the world than you give people credit
for, Ethel. You have a good father, good sense, and a good education;
and you have some perception of the system by which things like this
should be done. Unfortunately, the system is in bad hands here, and
these good ladies have been left to work for themselves, and it is no
wonder that there is plenty of little self-importance, nonsense, and the
like, among them; but for their own sakes we should rather show them the
way, than throw them overboard."

"If they will be shown," said Ethel.

"I can't say they seemed to me so very formidable," said Dr. Spencer.
"Gentle little women."

"Oh! it is only Mrs. Ledwich that stirs them up. I hope you are prepared
for that encounter."

Mrs. Ledwich came to tea, sparkling with black bugles, and was very
patronisin