me;
they wanted to know whether Norman was able to work these holidays, and
you told them the very thing they wanted to hear. How they will rejoice
with that Harvey, and make sure of the Randall!"

"Oh, no, no!" cried Ethel; "Norman must get that!"

"I don't think he will," said Flora, "losing all this time, while they
are working. It cannot be helped, of course, but it is a great pity."

"I almost wish he had not been put up at all, if it is to end in this
way," said Ethel. "It is very provoking, and to have them triumphing as
they will! There's no bearing it!"

"Norman, certainly, is not at all well, poor fellow," said Flora, "and I
suppose he wants rest, but I wish papa would let him do what he can.
It would be much better for him than moping about as he is always doing
now; and the disappointment of losing his place will be grievous, though
now he fancies he does not care for it."

"I wonder when he will ever care for anything again. All I read and tell
him only seems to tease him, though he tries to thank me."

"There is a strange apathy about him," said Flora, "but I believe it is
chiefly for want of exertion. I should like to rouse him if papa would
let me; I know I could, by telling him how these Andersons are reckoning
on his getting down. If he does, I shall be ready to run away, that I
may never meet any one here again."

Ethel was very unhappy till she was able to pour all this trouble out
to Margaret, and worked herself almost into crying about Norman's being
passed by "that Harvey," and his sisters exulting, and papa being vexed,
and Norman losing time and not caring.

"There you are wrong," said Margaret, "Norman did care very much, and it
was not till he had seen clearly that it was a matter of duty to do
as papa thought right, and not agitate his mind about his chances of
keeping up, that he could bear to give up his work;" and she told Ethel
a little of what had passed.

Ethel was much struck. "But oh, Margaret, it is very hard, just to have
him put up for the sake of being put down, and pleasing the Andersons!"

"Dear Ethel, why should you mind so much about the Andersons? May they
not care about their brother as we do for ours?"

"Such a brother to care about!" said Ethel.

"But I suppose they may like him the best," said Margaret, smiling.

"I suppose they do," said Ethel grudgingly; "but still I cannot bear to
see Norman doing nothing, and I know Harvey Anderson will beat him."

"Su