tor, beginning to rush frantically into the study, dining-room,
and his own room; but failing, quietly took up a book, and gave up the
search, which was vigorously pursued by Richard, Flora, and Mary, until
the missing article was detected, where Aubrey had left it in the nook
on the stairs, after using it for a trumpet and a telescope.

"Ah! now my goods will have a chance!" said Dr. May, as he took it, and
patted Richard's shoulder. "I have my best right hand, and Margaret will
be saved endless sufferings."

"Papa!"

"Ay! poor dear! don't I see what she undergoes, when nobody will
remember that useful proverb, 'A place for everything, and everything in
its place.' I believe one use of her brains is to make an inventory of
all the things left about the drawing-room; but, beyond it, it is past
her power."

"Yes," said Flora, rather aggrieved; "I do the best I can, but, when
nobody ever puts anything into its place, what can I do, single-handed?
So no one ever goes anywhere without first turning the house upside down
for their property; and Aubrey, and now even baby, are always carrying
whatever they can lay hands on into the nursery. I can't bear it; and
the worst of it is that," she added, finishing her lamentation, after
the others were out at the door, "papa and Ethel have neither of them
the least shame about it."

"No, no, Flora, that is not fair!" exclaimed Margaret--but Flora was
gone.

"I have shame," sighed Ethel, walking across the room disconsolately, to
put a book into a shelf.

"And you don't leave trainants as you used," said Margaret. "That is
what I meant."

"I wish I did not," said Ethel; "I was thinking whether I had better not
make myself pay a forfeit. Suppose you keep a book for me, Margaret,
and make a mark against me at everything I leave about, and if I pay
a farthing for each, it will be so much away from Cocksmoor, so I must
cure myself!"

"And what shall become of the forfeits?" asked Richard.

"Oh, they won't be enough to be worth having, I hope," said Margaret.

"Give them to the Ladies' Committee," said Ethel, making a face. "Oh,
Ritchie! they are worse than ever. We are so glad that Flora is going to
join it, and see whether she can do any good."

"We?" said Margaret, hesitating.

"Ah! I know you aren't, but papa said she might--and you know she has so
much tact and management--"

"As Norman says," observed Margaret doubtfully. "I cannot like the
notion of Flora going an