h I could,
for it will be horrid to set about it, and they'll think it a regular
shame in me to meddle. Oh! I know what I came into the study for; I
want you to be so kind as to lend me your pocket Greek Testament. I gave
Harry my little one."

"You are very welcome. What do you want it for?"

Norman coloured. "I met with a sermon the other day that recommended
reading a bit of it every day, and I thought I should like to try, now
the Confirmation is coming. One can always have some quiet by getting
away into the cloister."

"Bless you, my boy! while you go on in this way, I have not much fear
but that you'll know how to manage."

Norman's rapid progress affected another of the household in an
unexpected way.

"Margaret, my dear, I wish to speak to you," said Miss Winter,
reappearing when Margaret thought every one was gone out walking.
She would have said, "I am very sorry for it"--so ominous was the
commencement--and her expectations were fulfilled when Miss Winter had
solemnly seated herself, and taken out her netting. "I wished to speak
to you about dear Ethel," said the governess; "you know how unwilling
I always am to make any complaint, but I cannot be satisfied with her
present way of going on."

"Indeed," said Margaret. "I am much grieved to hear this. I thought she
had been taking great pains to improve."

"So she was at one time. I would not by any means wish to deny it, and
it is not of her learning that I speak, but of a hurried, careless way
of doing everything, and an irritability at being interfered with."

Margaret knew how Miss Winter often tried Ethel's temper, and was
inclined to take her sister's part. "Ethel's time is so fully occupied,"
she said.

"That is the very thing that I was going to observe, my dear. Her time
is too much occupied, and my conviction is, that it is hurtful to a girl
of her age."

This was a new idea to Margaret, who was silent, longing to prove
Miss Winter wrong, and not have to see poor Ethel pained by having to
relinquish any of her cherished pursuits.

"You see there is that Cocksmoor," said Miss Winter. "You do not know
how far off it is, my dear; much too great a distance for a young girl
to be walking continually in all weathers."

"That's a question for papa," thought Margaret.

"Besides," continued Miss Winter, "those children engross almost all her
time and thoughts. She is working for them, preparing lessons, running
after them continually. It tak