Although not as beautiful
as Jane, nor at any time as sulky as Esther can be, she has those
motherly traits of character which command respect. Being older than her
sisters she is looked up to by them for advice when they think they need
it, and consolation when they are in sorrow. Olive's wise little head is
sure to give the right advice at the right time, and in the family of
the cottage her word is law. I do not mean to say that she rules her
husband. No! Dan is far from being a hen-pecked man, but, as two heads
are always better than one, Dan often takes her advice and profits by
it.

Such is the cottage and household of honest Dan Teed.

To-day is cool and pleasant. The hour is nearly twelve noon--the hour
for dinner in the cottage. Esther is seated on the parlor floor playing
with George to keep him from running out in the hot sun. Willie is out
in the yard near the stable tormenting a poor hen, who has had a log of
wood tied to one of her legs by Olive to prevent her from setting in the
cow's stall; but master Willie seems to think she has been tied so that
he may have a good time banging her over the head with a small club,
which he is doing in a way that means business. Suddenly his mother
comes out of the kitchen, and after soundly boxing his ears, sends him
howling into the house, much to the relief of the poor hen who has just
fallen over with exhaustion and fright, but upon finding her tormentor
gone is soon herself again. Presently Olive hears Dan at the gate, and
comes to the front door to meet him and tell him that dinner is almost
ready, remarking that he cannot guess what she has for dessert. Honest
Dan replies that no matter what it is he is hungry and will eat it, for
he has been working hard. So in he goes to wash his hands and face at
the wash-stand in the kitchen.

Jane is coming down the street. Esther, who is seated on a chair with
George on her lap, sees her sister from the bay window in the parlor.
Jane has a position in Mr. Jas. P. Dunlap's establishment, and goes to
her work every morning at seven o'clock. As soon as Esther sees Jane she
takes George up in her arms and runs in to tell Olive that Jane is
coming, and suggests that dinner be served at once, for _she_ feels
hungry. So Olive, with Esther's assistance, puts the dinner on the
table, and they all sit down to enjoy the meal, and a good substantial
meal it is; plenty of beef-steak and onions, plenty of hot mashed
potatoes, plenty