Cameron think of such manners?" And then she dismissed them rather
summarily. I saw Annie steal a little wistful look at me as she
followed her sisters.

We took our leave after that. Mrs. Thorne shook hands with us very
graciously, but her parting words were addressed to Carrie. "On
Monday, then. Please give my kind regards to Dr. Cameron, and tell
him how thoroughly satisfied I am with the proposed arrangement." And
Carrie answered very prettily, but as the door closed she sighed
heavily.

"Oh, what children! and what a mother!" she gasped, as she took my
arm, and turned my foot-steps away from the house. "Never mind Jack,
I am going to the service at St. Barnabas; I want some refreshment
after what I have been through." And she sighed again.

"But, Carrie," I remonstrated, "I have no time to spare. You know
how Jack has been neglected, and how I have promised Allan to do my
best for her until we can afford to send her to school."

"You can walk with me to the church door," she returned, decidedly.
I was beginning to find out that Carrie could be self-willed
sometimes. "I must talk to you, Esther; I must tell you how I hate
it. Fancy trying to hammer French and music into those children's
heads, when I might--I might--" But here she stopped, actually on the
verge of crying.

"Oh, my darling, Carrie!" I burst out, for I never could bear to see
her sweet face clouded for a moment, and she so seldom cried or gave
way to any emotion. "Why would you not let me speak? I might have