98 Mr. Duropus and Family. [Feb., 



" We are obliged to be ; so we don't deserve any credit for it." 



Jane came in without waiting to be inquired for ; and after a 

 very few moments spent in labored conversation, and after amus- 

 ing herself by tapping on the bare floor with her sun-screen, and 

 then becoming very ostentatiously conscious of the impropriety 

 of the act. Miss Phebe Maria rose, saying that they must not 

 hinder their friends from their work, bade them good morning 

 Mr. Foster bade them good morning with rather more politeness 

 and respect, than was quite agreeable to Phebe Maria. 



" Phebe seems to b.^ very friendly, all at once," said Jane with 

 a smile, after they had resumed their operations in the kitchen. 



" There wasn't too much friendship in her call to-day," said 

 Mary, slightly vexed. 



" Don't be harsh in your judgment, dear," said Mrs. Hardy. 



" It isn't a judgment but a fact. She brought him here to let 

 him see that our house was not as well furnished as hers." 



" She took unnecessary trouble then," said Jane, " she might 

 have told him about it." 



" I suppose she thought that seeing is believing," said Mary. 

 " If he is a sensible man, I don't think she has gained much by 

 bringing him here." 



" Let us talk about something else, dears," said Mrs. Hardy, 

 and the suggestion was cheerfully adopted. 



Not long after this call, Mr. Foster presented himself at the 

 door, unattended by Phebe Maiia. " Are the young ladies at 

 home ?" said he to Mrs. H., who came to the door. 



" Yes, sir, walk in. They are at home, and will be ready to 

 see you in a few minutes. They are now helping their father 

 milk the cows, or rather he is helping them. Mr. Hardy has so 

 much to do, that when we can get the cows home soon enough, 

 we try to have them milked before he comes ; that is, the girls do, 

 for they won't let me go out of the house." 



" You havn't themi under very good government then," said 

 Mr. Foster, smiling. 



" It isn't the fashion now, you know. The fashion now is, for 

 the young folks to rule and the old ones to obey. However, I 

 can't complain of my girls, they try to do everything they can 

 for their parents; only they won't let me do as much as I wish 

 to sometimes. I don't like to see them do it all." 



The girls had now finished straining the milk, and as the labors 

 of the day were over, some slight changes were made in their 

 dress, and they came in and passed the evening with Mr. Foster. 

 He had no such horror of uncarpeted floors, oi- of industrious girls 

 as to prevent his staying till the village bell " toll'd the hour for 

 retiring." 



It appeared that one of Mr. Foster's uncles, with whom he 



