312 



all day long, till we have read every book and paper we can 

 find. I wish father would work less and read more, an4 let 

 us work more and read less." 



" Hush, Sally ! " said Mrs. Stamford, reprovingly. " Your 

 father, as you well know, grants every reasonable wish you 

 have." 



" Yes, mother, all except the very reasonable desire for 

 some regular employment." 



" How can you talk so before Mr. and Mrs. Nelson? 

 Doubtless they quite agree with your father." 



" To tell the plain truth," said Robert, " we do not agree 

 with him at all." 



Fortunately, just at this point, Mr. Stamford himself 

 entered the room, and the conversation was diverted to 

 other channels. In a few minutes, however, it wandered 

 back again. 



" Perhaps you could work girls on your place if you had 

 'em, but I dunno where you'd find 'em." 



" I would go in a minute if I were not were not so 

 far advanced in years," said Jane. 



" So would I," said Sally. 



" Come, girls, do talk sense or not at all," broke in Mr. 

 Stamford, testily. 



Seeing rocks ahead, and fearing a wreck, Robert skilfully 

 steered one side, and sailed away on another tack. 



