uld take her a
proper meal, would do all that was necessary. Very often nurse did not
disturb Pauline until long after the others had breakfasted, for the
doctor had said that she ought never to be wakened when asleep, and that
she ought to have as much rest and sleep as possible. So breakfast came
to an end. There was a weight in the air. Now, it happened that the day
was a specially fine one, for the skies, after crying so many tears, had
cleared up, the sun had come out, and the few flowers that were left held
up their heads gayly and tried to forget the storm through which they had
lived and the winter days which were before them.

Mr. Dale had, of course, forgotten what he had promised his sister-in-law
to do on the previous night. But Miss Tredgold had not the slightest idea
of letting him off.

"Come, Henry," she said; "we will go into the schoolroom to prayers."

Accordingly they went, and Mr. Dale read prayers in his somewhat sleepy
tones. The children, with the exception of Pauline, were all present. At
last family worship was finished and the servants were allowed to leave
the room. As nurse was going she looked at Verena.

"Miss Pauline is sleeping longer than usual," she said. "She asked me a
few days ago never to waken her, and said she would ring her bell when
she wanted breakfast or hot water. I had better find out if she is
awake."

"Yes, do, nurse," said Miss Tredgold briskly; "and ask her to be quick
and come downstairs. I want all the children except little Marjorie to be
present."

"Oh, my dear Sophia!" said Mr. Dale at that moment, "you cannot expect me
to wait here with all my morning's work neglected while one of the girls
chooses to dress herself."

"Here's a very interesting paper on Plato," said Miss Tredgold suddenly,
and as she spoke she handed Mr. Dale the last number of the _Spectator_.
"I thought you might like to see it."

"Eh? What?" he cried. "An article on Plato. By whom?"

"By the great classical scholar, Professor Mahaffy," replied Miss
Tredgold calmly.

Mr. Dale was in an intense state of excitement.

"When did this come?"

"On Saturday morning."

"But this is Wednesday. How is it I did not see it before?"

"To tell you the truth, Henry, I read it and kept it back on purpose. I
want to keep your attention until all the family are assembled. Here is
your chair, here are your spectacles, and here is the paper."

Mr. Dale took the paper, muttering to himself:

"Ma