hese two
months!"

"What! Ethel, have a fancy for two whole months, and the whole house
not hear of it!" said her father, with a rather provoking look of
incredulity.

"Richard was afraid of bothering you, and wouldn't let me. But do speak,
papa. May we?"

"I don't see any objection."

She clasped her hands in ecstasy. "Thank you! thank you, papa! Oh,
Ritchie! Oh, Margaret!" cried she, in a breathless voice of transport.

"You have worked yourself up to a fine pass," said the doctor, patting
the agitated girl fondly as she leaned against his knee. "Remember, slow
and steady."

"I've got Richard to help me," said Ethel.

"Sufficient guarantee," said her father, smiling archly as he looked up
to his son, whose fair face had coloured deep red. "You will keep the
Unready in order, Ritchie."

"He does," said Margaret; "he has taken her education into his hands,
and I really believe he has taught her to hold up her frock and stick in
pins."

"And to know her right hand from her left, eh, Ethel? Well, you deserve
some credit, then. Suppose we ask Mr. Wilmot to tea, and talk it over."

"Oh, thank you, papa! When shall it be? To-morrow?"

"Yes, if you like. I have to go to the town-council meeting, and am not
going into the country, so I shall be in early."

"Thank you. Oh, how very nice!"

"And what about cost? Do you expect to rob me?"

"If you would help us," said Ethel, with an odd shy manner; "we meant
to make what we have go as far as may be, but mine is only fifteen and
sixpence."

"Well, you must make interest with Margaret for the turn-out of my
pocket to-morrow."

"Thank you, we are very much obliged," said the brother and sister
earnestly, "that is more than we expected."

"Ha! don't thank too soon. Suppose to-morrow should be a blank day!"

"Oh, it won't!" said Ethel. "I shall tell Norman to make you go to
paying people."

"There's avarice!" said the doctor. "But look you here, Ethel, if you'll
take my advice, you'll make your bargain for Tuesday. I have a note
appointing me to call at Abbotstoke Grange on Mr. Rivers, at twelve
o'clock, on Tuesday. What do you think of that, Ethel? An old banker,
rich enough for his daughter to curl her hair in bank-notes. If I were
you, I'd make a bargain for him."

"If he had nothing the matter with him, and I only got one guinea out of
him!"

"Prudence! Well, it may be wiser."

Ethel ran up to her room, hardly able to believe that the mighty
proposa