commenced her duties. It took her scarcely two minutes to get there,
for the houses were almost within view of each other. Constance would
willingly have commenced the daily routine at an earlier hour. Lady
Augusta freely confessed that to come earlier would be useless, for she
could not get her daughters up. Strictly speaking, Lady Augusta did not
personally try to get them up, for she generally lay in bed herself.

"That is one of the habits I must alter in the children," thought
Constance.

She entered, took off her things in the room appropriated to her, and
passed into the schoolroom. It was empty, though the children ought to
have been there, preparing their lessons. Fanny came running in, her
hair in curl-papers, some bread and butter in her hand.

"Carry has not finished her breakfast, Miss Channing," quoth she. "She
was lazy this morning!"

"I think some one else was lazy also," said Constance, gently drawing
the child to her. "Why did you come down half-dressed, my dear?"

"I am quite dressed," responded Fanny. "My frock's on, and so is my
pinafore."

"And these?" said Constance, touching the curl-papers.

"Oh, Martha got up late, and said she had no time to take them out. It
will keep in curl all the better, Miss Channing; and perhaps I am going
to the missionary meeting with mamma."