the exact destiny of all his long hours of proposed labour. He had
as yet been home a day and a half, and had succeeded in drawing out
with red lines and blue figures the table which he showed her. "If
I can do that, it will be pretty well; won't it?"

"But, Frank, you have come home for your holidays,--to enjoy
yourself?"

"But a fellow must work now-a-days."

"Don't overdo it, dear; that's all. But, Frank, I could not rest if
I went to bed without speaking to you. You made me unhappy to-day."

"Did I, Bessy?"

"You called me a Puritan, and then you quoted that ill-natured
French proverb at me. Do you really believe your sister thinks
evil, Frank?" and as she spoke she put her arm caressingly round his
neck.

"Of course I don't."

"Then why say so? Harry is so much younger and so thoughtless that
I can bear what he says without so much suffering. But if you and I
are not friends I shall be very wretched. If you knew how I have
looked forward to your coming home!"

"I did not mean to vex you, and I won't say such things again."

"That's my own Frank. What I said to mamma, I said because I