glad you were there, Ritchie; I never
should have thought of one time being better than another."

"Just like Ethel!" said Flora, smiling.

"Why should not you learn?" said Richard gently.

"I can't," said Ethel, in a desponding way.

"Why not? You are much sharper than most people, and, if you tried, you
would know those things much better than I do, as you know how to learn
history."

"It is quite a different sort of cleverness," said Flora. "Recollect Sir
Isaac Newton, or Archimedes."

"Then you must have both sorts," said Ethel, "for you can do things
nicely, and yet you learn very fast."

"Take care, Ethel, you are singeing your frock! Well, I really don't
think you can help those things!" said Flora. "Your short sight is the
reason of it, and it is of no use to try to mend it."

"Don't tell her so," said Richard. "It can't be all short sight--it is
the not thinking. I do believe that if Ethel would think, no one would
do things so well. Don't you remember the beautiful perspective drawing
she made of this room for me to take to Oxford? That was very difficult,
and wanted a great deal of neatness and accuracy, so why should she not
be neat and accurate in other things? And I know you can read faces,
Ethel--why don't you look there before you speak?"

"Ah! before instead of after, when I only see I have said something
malapropos," said Ethel.

"I must go and see about the children," said Flora; "if the tea comes
while I am gone, will you make it, Ritchie?"

"Flora despairs of me," said Ethel.

"I don't," said Richard. "Have you forgotten how to put in a pin yet?"

"No; I hope not."

"Well, then, see if you can't learn to make tea; and, by-the-bye, Ethel,
which is the next christening Sunday?"

"The one after next, surely. The first of December is Monday--yes,
to-morrow week is the next."

"Then I have thought of something; it would cost eighteenpence to hire
Joliffe's spring-cart, and we might have Mrs. Taylor and the twins
brought to church in it. Should you like to walk to Cocksmoor and settle
it?"

"Oh yes, very much indeed. What a capital thought. Margaret said you
would know how to manage."

"Then we will go the first fine day papa does not want me."

"I wonder if I could finish my purple frocks. But here's the tea. Now,
Richard, don't tell me to make it. I should do something wrong, and
Flora will never forgive you."

Richard would not let her off. He stood over her, counted her shove