HOUSEKEEPING. 85 



CHAPTER II. 



Tribby's week rolled smoothly on. She had a natural 

 talent for household management. The " trifles " which 

 she had so unselfishly and silently executed during 

 !N'ye's undivided monarchy had taught her a great part 

 of the practical duties of her new position. Meals 

 came on the table at the regularly-established hours. 

 There was always plenty of home-baked bread forth- 

 coming, and frequently a nice tea-cake made its appear- 

 ance. Pies and puddings were unexceptionable. Eoast 

 and boiled were done to a turn. The supply of oil 

 for the lamps never failed. If there had been a catch 

 of fish in the neighbourhood, Tribby was certain to 

 have secured some of the spoil. When the sportsmen 

 of the family brought in rabbits and snipe, be sure 

 they always made their appearance at table at the 

 right moment and in the right condition. 



If Tribulation's bread did Tiot rise, or her pie-crust 

 got burned, or the old, spoilt servants became aggra- 

 vating, or the boys plundered her stores, no one knew. 

 Once or twice, after she and Wildie had snugged into 

 bed, Tribby's overcharged feelings found expression in 

 dark forebodings. " She knew how it would end. 

 Nye's city experience had taught her to dislike the 

 drudgery of home-work, and Wildie's natural propen- 

 sities were altogether antagonistic to the same. It 

 would all fall upon her — Tribby. Not that she 

 wished Nye to have less leisure — not that she desired 

 to curb Wildie's roving instincts ; oh, no ! only, it was 



