"I have a much harder time than any coachman, Kate," retorted
the injured lady. "Nobody tries to stop him, and you are
always hushing me up."

"Hushing you up, darling?" said Kate. "When we only spoil you
by praising and quoting everything you say."

"Only when it amuses you," said Aunt Jane. "So long as I sit
and cry my eyes out over a book, you all love me, and when I
talk nonsense, you are ready to encourage it; but when I begin
to utter a little sense, you all want to silence me, or else
run out of the room! Yesterday I read about a newspaper
somewhere, called the 'Daily Evening Voice'; I wish you would
allow me a daily morning voice."

"Do not interfere, Kate," said Hal. "Aunt Jane and I only wish
to understand each other."

"I am sure we don't," said Aunt Jane; "I have no desire to
understand you, and you never will understand me till you
comprehend Philip."

"Let us agree on one thing," Harry said. "Surely, aunt, you
know how he loves Hope?"

Aunt Jane approached a degree nearer the equator, and said,
gently, "I fear I do."

"Fear?"