Everything in the house went smoothly, as Lucy was a methodical
young person, who went by the clock and the almanac. Braddock
little knew how much of his undeniable comfort he owed to her
fostering care; for, prior to her return from school, he had been
robbed right and left by unscrupulous domestics. When his
step-daughter arrived he simply handed over the keys and the
housekeeping money--a fixed sum--and gave her strict
instructions not to bother him. Miss Kendal faithfully observed
this injunction, as she enjoyed being undisputed mistress, and
knew that, so long as her step-father had his meals, his bed, his
bath and his clothes, he required nothing save the constant
society of his beloved mummies, of which no one wished to deprive
him. These he dusted and cleansed and rearranged himself. Not
even Lucy dared to invade the museum, and the mere mention of
spring cleaning drove the Professor into displaying frantic rage,
in which he used bad language.

On returning from her walk with Archie, the girl had lured her
step-father into assuming a rusty dress suit, which had done
service for many years, and had coaxed him into a promise to be
present at dinner. Mrs. Jasher, the lively widow of the
district, was coming, and Braddock approved of a woman who looked
up to him as the one wise man in the world. Even science is
susceptible to judicious flattery, and Mrs. Jasher was never
backward in putting her admiration into words. Female gossip
declared that the widow wished to become the second Mrs.
Braddock, but if this was really the case, she had but small
chance of gaining her end. The Professor had once sacrificed his
liberty to secure a competence, and, having acquired five hundred
a year, was not inclined for a second matrimonial venture. Had