"Well," Mrs. Dale said, when she had exhausted the subject of the
wedding, "I'm sure I hope it will turn out well, but I really can't say.
Ever since I've seen this Mr. Ward I've somehow felt that it was an
experiment. In the first place, he's a man of weak will,--I'm sure of
that, because he seems perfectly ready to give way to Helen in
everything; and that isn't as it ought to be,--the man should rule! And
then, besides that, whoever heard of his people? Came from the South
somewhere, I believe, but he couldn't tell me the first name of his
great-grandfather. I doubt if he ever had any, between ourselves. Still,
I hope for the best. And I'm sure I trust," she added, with an uneasy
recollection of the cake in the oven, "she won't have trouble with
servants. I declare, the happiness of married life is in the hands of
your cook. If Betty had not gone off this morning, I should have come
over to the rectory to help you. There's so much to do after a wedding."

"Oh, you're very kind," said Lois, "but I think Jean and I can see to
things. Miss Deborah came to help me, but we were really quite in order."

"Miss Deborah!" said Mrs. Dale. "Well, I'm glad if she could be of any
use; she really is so un-practical. But it's lucky you have Jean. Just
wait till you get a house of your own, young lady, and then you'll
understand what the troubles of housekeeping are."

"I'm in no haste for a house of my own," said the girl, smiling.

"That's because you're a foolish child," returned Mrs. Dale promptly.
"You'd be a great deal happier if you were married and settled. Though I
must say there is very little chance of it, unless you go away to make a
visit, as Helen did. There is only one young man in Ashurst; and now he's
going. But for that matter, Gifford Woodhouse and you are just like