had taken her mother in the back way with a purpose in view. "Oh,
mamma, we do so want a stove. No family can keep house without one.
We don't know what to do. Please, please help us."

"How would a Dutch oven do?" suggested Mrs. Gordon.

"What's that? How's it made?"

Mrs. Gordon explained: "It's made of brick, and----"

"How good you are. Who'll make it?"

Mrs. Gordon could not find it in her heart to disappoint the girls, so
she furnished the materials, and had a darky make the oven. When done,
it was somewhat clumsy, but it looked serviceable.

"Beth," said Julia, "we can't be just you and me. We must be man and
wife. Our names will be Mr. and Mrs. Newbeginner. I'm John
Newbeginner, and----"

"I'd rather be the man, because he's the head of the family and he
doesn't work so hard. Besides, I don't want a little bit of a man like
you. I'm the taller."

"Well, but I'm the elder, and the elder is always the man."

"All right, but you have to help about the house. You can't go away to
business."

"Let's stay here all night, to-night."