and had her breakfast in bed--there would be a hundred little things
to set right before I started off for the Cedars, as Mr. Lucas' house
was called.

"Never mind, it is better to wear out than to rust out," I said to
myself. And then I picked up Jack's gloves from the floor, hung up
her hat in its place, and tried to efface the marks of her muddy
boots from the carpet (I cannot deny Jack was a thorn in my side just
now), and then there came a tap at my door, and Carrie came in.

She looked so pretty and bright, that I could not help admiring her
afresh. I am sure people must have called her beautiful.

"How happy you look, Carrie, in spite of your three little Thornes,"
I said rather mischievously. "Has mother told you about Miss Lucas?"

"Yes, I heard all about that," she returned, absently. "You are very
fortunate, Esther, to find work in which you can take an interest. I
am glad--very glad about that."

"I wish, for your sake, that we could exchange," I returned, feeling
myself very generous in intention, but all the same delighted that my
unselfishness should not be put to the proof.

"Oh, no, I have no wish of that sort," she replied, hastily; "I
could not quite bring myself to play with children in the nursery." I
suppose mother had told her about the dolls. "Well, we both start on
our separate treadmill on Monday--Black Monday, eh, Esther?"

"Not at all," I retorted, for I was far too pleased and excited with