"Going out continually night after night."

"Mamma likes it."

"Cela va sans dire. But, Ruth, --stop fanning a minute, please, --I want
to know, candidly and seriously, would you mind giving it up?"

"Candidly and seriously, I would do so to-day forever."

"Ye-es; your father's daughter," said Mrs. Lewis, speaking more slowly, her
bright eyes noting the perfect repose of the young girl's person; "and yet
you are having some quiet little conquests, --the golden apples of your
mother's Utopia. But to come to the point, do you realize that your mother
is very ill?"

"Ill--my mother?" The sudden look of consternation that scattered the soft
tranquillity of her face must have fully repaid Mrs. Lewis if she was
aiming at a sensation.

"There, sit down. Don't be alarmed; you know she is out and apparently
well."

"What do you mean?"

I mean that Aunt Esther is nervous and hysterical. The other day at our
house she had such an attack of hysteria that I was obliged to call in a
neighboring doctor. She begged us not to mention it to either of you, and
then insisted on attending a meeting of some sort. However, I thought it
over and decided to let you know, as I consider it serious. I was afraid
to alarm Uncle, so I thought of telling you."