"Has Ellen said anything about the rules, my dear?" asked Thaddeus,
a week or two later.

"Not a word," returned Bessie.

"Has she 'looked' anything?"

"Volumes," Bessie answered.

"Does she take exception to any of them?"

"No," said Bessie, "and I've discovered why, too. She hasn't read
them."

Thaddeus was silent for a minute. Then he said, quite firmly for
him, "She must read them."

"MUST is a strong word, Teddy," Bessie replied, "particularly since
Ellen can't read."

"Then you ought to read them to her."

"That's what I think," Bessie answered, amiably. "I'm going to do
it very soon--day after to-morrow, I guess."

"What has Jane said?" asked Thaddeus, biting his lip.

Bessie colored. Jane had expressed herself with considerable force,
and Bessie had been a little afraid to tell Thaddeus what she had
said and done.