r two. Haven't you noticed it?"

"To tell the truth, I have, Susanna; but, after all, it is not
unnatural. The excitement of getting settled and beginning work made
her forget, and now the novelty is wearing off she has, as you say,
slipped back. All this rain and fog is in itself depressing. Don't
worry, Susanna. Hasn't everything I promised you come true up till
now?"

"I suppose so, Miss Norah," was the reluctant answer.

"Then don't worry, and I'll let you keep shop this afternoon."

Where the shop was concerned, Susanna was like a child; and nothing
pleased her more than to be left in charge for an hour or so. Her own
domain, the three bedrooms, dining room, and kitchen, she kept in
spotless order, creating the daintiest repasts as if by magic, and
seeming always to have time to spare.

She went back to her dishes, and Norah worked away with a thoughtful
frown. Presently Marion entered and dropped into a chair with a weary
sigh. "It is a horrid day," she said.

"There is a bit of blue in the west; by afternoon it may be pleasant,"
Norah responded.

When one is immersed in gloom, the sight of determined cheerfulness is
irritating. So Marion found it.

"The air is so heavy one can hardly breathe," she went on. "I believe
I'll let Susanna attend to the plants; I am tired."

"I have time to do it," said Norah, closing the door of the case.

Marion rose impatiently. "You shall not touch them. If Susanna cannot
do them, I will."

"Susanna would cut off her hand if you asked it; but I know she has
more than usual to do this morning, and we agreed the shop was to be
our part. I am not in the least tired. Please, Marion!" Norah stood
between her and the door.

"Very well. I shall attend to it myself," and Marion swept by her.

"O dear!" sighed Norah, "I feel like a tyrant; but she must not give
up."

Marion returned presently and began washing the palms and clipping
away the dead leaves. She worked listlessly, her face wore an
expression of deep melancholy.

A diversion was created by the entrance of James Mandeville. He had
been kept in several days by a cold, and the joy of release radiated
from his small person.

"Mammy says she reckons the sun's going to shine by and by, so she let
me come," he announced.

"Mammy and I are of the same opinion, then," said Norah, helping him
off with his coat. "Can't you think of something to cheer Miss Marion?
She is very tired of this rainy weather."

"I'll sin