"If-—" said the father; "there's the point. If Allen has the
stimulus, he will do well. I own I am particularly pleased with his
success, because perseverance is his weak point."

"Carey kept him up to it," said granny. "I believe his success is
quite as much her work as his own."

"And the question is, how will he get on without his mother to coach
him ?"

"Now you know you are not one bit uneasy, papa!" cried his wife,
indignantly. "But don't you think we might let Janet have her will
for just these ten days? There can't be any real danger for her with
grandmamma, and I should be happier about granny."

"You don't trust Joe to take care of me?"

"Not if Joe is to be out all day. There will be nobody to trot up
and down stairs for you. Come, it is only what she begs for
herself, and she really is perfectly well."

"As if I could have a child victimised to me," said granny.

"The little Cockney thinks the victimising would be in going to the
deserts with only the boys and me," laughed Carey; "But I think a
week later will be quite time enough to sweep the cobwebs out of her
brain."

"And you can do without her?" inquired Mrs. Brownlow. "You don't
want her to help to keep the boys in order?"