I am a little like my grandmother. There is her miniature upstairs.
I should like to be like her. Father did love her so very, very much."

"Of course, Nora, if those are your tastes, I have nothing further
to say," answered Mrs. O'Shanaghgan; "but while you are under my
roof and under my tuition, I shall insist on your doing a couple of
hours' good reading daily."

"Very well, mother; I am quite agreeable."

"I suppose you have quite forgotten your music?"

"No, I remember it, and I should like to play very much indeed; but
the old piano--you must know yourself, mother dear, that it is
impossible to get any music out of it."

Mrs. O'Shanaghgan uttered a groan.

"We seem to be beset with difficulties at every step," she said. "It
is such a mistake your father going to Dublin now, and throwing away
his little capital. Has he said anything to you about the mortgage,
by the way, Nora?"

Nora colored.

"A little," she answered in a low voice.

"Ah, I see--told it as a secret; so like the Irish, making mysteries
about everything, and then blabbing them out the next minute. I
don't want, my dear, to encroach upon your father's secrets, so