all this but me?" questioned
Beatrice, looking gravely into Ishmael's face. And as she waited for an
answer, Ishmael replied:

"Why--failing your mamma, your papa might have done it, without any
derogation from his manly dignity. When General Washington was in
Philadelphia, during his first Presidential term, with all the cares of
the young nation upon his shoulders, he superintended the fitting up of
his town house for the reception of Mrs. Washington; descending even to
the details of hanging curtains and setting up mangles!"

Beatrice laughed, as she said:

"Law, Ishmael! haven't you got over your habit of quoting your heroes
yet? And have you really faith enough to hope that modern men will come
up to their standard? Of course, George Washington was equal to every
human duty from the conquering of Cornwallis to--the crimping of a
cap-border, if necessary! for he was a miracle! But my papa, God bless
him, though wise and good, is but a man, and would no more know how to
perform a woman's duties than I should how to do a man's! What should he
know of china-closets and linen chests? Why, Ishmael, he doesn't know
fi'penny bit cotton from five shilling linen, and would have been as
apt as not to have ordered the servants' sheets on the children's beds
and vice versa; and for mamma's supper he would have been as likely to
have fried pork as the broiled spring chickens that I shall provide! No,
Ishmael; gentlemen may be great masters in Latin and Greek; but they are
dunces in housekeeping matters."

"As far as your experience goes, Bee."

"Of course, as far as my experience goes."

"When did you reach Rushy Shore, Bee?"

"Last night about seven o'clock. Matty came with me in the carriage, and
Jason drove us. We spent all day in unpacking and arranging the things
that had been sent down on the 'Canvas Back' a week or two ago. And this
afternoon I thought I would walk over here and see what sort of a school
you had. Papa read your letter to us, and we were all interested in your
success here."

"Thank you, dear Bee; I know that you are all among my very best
friends; and some of these days, Bee, I hope, I trust, to do credit to
your friendship."

"That you will, Ishmael! What do you think my papa told my uncle
Merlin?--that 'that young man (meaning you) was destined to make his
mark on this century.'"

A deep blush of mingled pleasure, bashfulness, and aspiration mantled
Ishmael's delicate face. He bowed with s