been her betrothed for more than a year, during which time she
had habitually seen him wooing every child he had met as if it
were a woman,--which, for Philip, was saying a great deal.
Happily they had in common the one trait of perfect amiability,
and she knew no more how to be jealous than he to be constant.

"Lili was easily won," he said. "Other things being equal,
people of six prefer that man who is tallest."

"Philip is not so very tall," said the eldest of the boys, who
was listening eagerly, and growing rapidly.

"No," said Philip, meekly. "But then the Pasteur was short,
and his brother was a dwarf."

"When Lili found that she could reach the ceiling from Mr.
Malbone's shoulder," said Emilia, "she asked no more."

"Then you knew the pastor's family also, my child," said Aunt
Jane, looking at her kindly and a little keenly.

"I was allowed to go there sometimes," she began, timidly.

"To meet her American Cousin," interrupted Philip. "I got some
relaxation in the rules of the school. But, Aunt Jane, you
have told us nothing about your health."

"There is nothing to tell," she answered. "I should like, if
it were convenient, to be a little better. But in this life,
if one can walk across the floor, and not be an idiot, it is