"A little girl with so foolish and unkind a mother as yours is certainly
much to be pitied," Mrs. Travilla remarked in reply.

"Mamma, I did not mean that; I could never think or speak of you in that
way," returned Rosie, blushing vividly and hanging her head.

"If you had overheard Lulu addressing the remarks to her father that you
have just made to me, would you have taken them as evidence of her
confidence in his wisdom and love for her?" asked her mother; and Rosie
was obliged to acknowledge that she would not.

"Please forgive me, mamma dear," she said penitently. "I'll not talk so
again. I haven't earned my quarter for good behavior to-day. I'm quite
aware of that."

"No, my child, I am sorry to have to say you have not," sighed her
mother.

It was one afternoon in the second week after Mr. Lilburn's arrival that
this conversation between Rosie and her mother was held.

At the same hour Max and Lulu were in their work-room at home, busily
carving. Since their dismissal from that morning's tasks, they had spent
every moment of time at that work, except what had necessarily been
given to the eating of their dinner.

Presently their father came in.

"You are very industrious, my darlings," he said in a pleasant tone,
"but how much exercise have you taken in the open air to-day?"