( 8i ) 



HOUSEKEEPING. 



CHAPTER I. 



Nye had returned to her remote home, a " city-and- 

 boarding-school-finished-Miss," and revolutions in the 

 domestic routine were inaugurated by her declaration 

 that the girls must share with her the duties of house- 

 keeper. 



For many years Nye had carried the key-basket — 

 awful insignia of office — and under the direction of an 

 invalid mother had proved herself an excellent young 

 housekeeper. Much honour had been paid to her in 

 consequence, and I do not think she objected to being 

 considered an important personage. But such honour 

 was earned through much care, not to mention worry, 

 and Nye thought the time had come when some of 

 those for whom she had toiled ought to share her 

 labours, and thereby earn housewifely fame for them- 

 selves and for her. Fame that has to be gained and 

 retained by infinite anxiety and little repose is apt to 

 become distasteful; and however willing Nye might 

 be to cast the mantle of her housekeeping attainments 



