Girls of the Forest

g. "Time enough" was the motto of the establishment: time enough for breakfast, time enough for dinner, time enough for supper, time enough for bed, time enough for getting up, time eno

of these girls; they were absolutely uneducated; they were all but unclothed, and their food was poor and often insufficient. Nevertheless they were fairly happy. "Let well alone" was also their motto. "Never may care" was another. As to the rush and toil and strain of modern life, they could not even

ads. She had no tact whatsoever; at least, such was their first opinion of her. She put her foot down on this little crotchet, and pressed this passing desire out of sight. She brought new rules of life into their everyday existence, and, what is more, she insisted on being obeyed. With all their cleverness they were not half so clever as Aunt Sophia; they were no match for this good lady, who was still young at

e had, further, told Verena and Pauline what lay before them. Surely she might have been contented, and have taken her dip candle in its tin candlestic

atures. The rest of the room was in shadow. Miss Tredgold entered and stood a few feet away from Mr. Dale. Mr. Dale had already forgotten that such a person as Miss Sophia existed. It was his habit to work for a great many hours each night. It was during the hours of darkness that he most thoroughly absorbed himself in his darling occupation. His dinner had been better than usual, and that de

l bless me," murmured Mr. Dale

Henry," said the sharp, incisi

on the page, which further irritated him; for, untidy as he

said. "I am busy.

tay. You know me, don't you? You

ant to be rude, but I never

o see me. I shall go whe

ad

sprang to

I don't allow people in my study. I am sorry to be discourteous to a lady, but I state a fact; you must go immediately. You don't realize what it is to hav

Tredgold. "I will go the

hing-anything that keep

oom-that is, for the present. By-and-by it must be cleaned, for I d

yond doubt, according to Clericus-- I b

I am glad, for you need rousing. I intend to sit or stand in this

ich was piled up with books and papers. These she was calmly abou

"You destroy the work of months. I

ar's desk. The bright light from the lamp fell on her face; it looked pale, calm, and d

ou want; only go

to have to speak to you as I do. I am sorry to have to take, a

not wante

but as to being wanted, no

you ar

We need not discuss this point, for it is settled. I

to July, from July to August, from August to September! It is very cruel of

ave to do something further. I want you to give me authority over your children. The moment I have it-I want it in writing, remember-I will l

e," murmur

that delicious coffee. You w

t to be touched;

me your authority in writing, and I leave the room; but if you don't,

iar had a very bad cold he sat with her for a very few minutes, and recommended her to try snuff. He did not wish to make his children unhappy, and he thought that the advent of Miss Tredgold would have that effect on them. But, after all, a determined woman like her must be humored; and what were the children compared to his ow

e at a cruel disadvantage. I am ser

rceive, a wise man. You can rest assured that I

l, madam,

hority to do what I think

e-

nize this

this

xception of

ppose

the girls come to you, as perhaps t

won't be hard on

them. You will up

e-

to punish them, you won't

! The night is passing quickly.

e too long. Give me a sheet of paper; I will wr

ssed very hard on the nib, and wrote what she required. Mr. Dale felt certain he would find it quite spoilt when he

e acted wisely. You have y

bowed as she