e with their uncontracted
sisters.

"You will know them too some day, and then you will think differently,"
said Em, with the condescending magnanimity which superior knowledge can
always afford to show to ignorance.

Lyndall's little lip quivered in a manner indicative of intense
amusement. She twirled a massive ring upon her forefinger--a ring more
suitable for the hand of a man, and noticeable in design--a diamond
cross let into gold, with the initials "R.R." below it.

"Ah, Lyndall," Em cried, "perhaps you are engaged yourself--that is why
you smile. Yes; I am sure you are. Look at this ring!"

Lyndall drew the hand quickly from her.

"I am not in so great a hurry to put my neck beneath any man's foot;
and I do not so greatly admire the crying of babies," she said, as she
closed her eyes half wearily and leaned back in the chair. "There are
other women glad of such work."

Em felt rebuked and ashamed. How could she take Lyndall and show her
the white linen and the wreath, and the embroidery? She was quiet for
a little while, and then began to talk about Trana and the old
farm-servants, till she saw her companion was weary; then she rose and
left her for the night. But after Em was gone Lyndall sat on, watching
the old crone's face in the corner, and with a weary look, as though the
whole world's weight rested on these frail young shoulders.

The next morning, Waldo, starting off before breakfast with a bag of
mealies slung over his shoulder to feed the ostriches, heard a light
step behind him.

"Wait for me; I am coming with you," said Lyndall, adding as she came up
to him, "if I had not gone to look for you yesterday you would not have
come to greet me till now. Do you not like me any longer, Waldo?"

"Yes--but--you are changed."

It was the old clumsy, hesitating mode of speech.

"You like the pinafores better?" she said quickly. She wore a dress of
a simple cotton fabric, but very fashionably made, and on her head was
a broad white hat. To Waldo she seemed superbly attired. She saw it. "My
dress has changed a little," she said, "and I also; but not to you. Hang
the bag over your other shoulder, that I may see your face. You say
so little that if one does not look at you you are an uncomprehended
cipher." Waldo changed the bag, and they walked on side by side. "You
have improved," she said. "Do you know that I have sometimes wished to
see you while I was away; not often, but still sometimes."

They