have known some most patient, long-suffering maiden ladies-quite as many, if not more, of them than I have known married ladies possessing the same qualities."

"Well, mother dear," said Alick, and his handsome face looked very winsome as he looked down at the invalid; "you see we youngsters have a limited experience. You see we don't know much of any married lady except yourself; and I fancy if weights depended on patience and long-suffering,' your side of the scales would be down, and the maiden aunt would be swinging away, goodness knows where, up in the air! But don't lose your patience now. I see a smile at the corner of your mouth. A kiss while it lasts, mother, and I'm off! Come along, Bob, throw that shawl away and bolt. I hear Aunt Prissy's keys!"

At this Jessie jumped up too, and was spared a full description of her day's doings for her brothers' benefit, as she was required now to help in arranging her mother comfortably for the night.

Miss Prissy entered with her keys dangling, and a basin of arrowroot in her hand, which she deposited on a table, and then commenced

a few alterations she thought would improve matters, although Mrs. Clayton would rather not have had her things moved about as unceremoniously as if she had been a baby.

When Miss Prissy departed, Mr. Clayton came up and at once saw that the ruffling process had been going on, for he observed candlesticks and books and other things that were occupying changed positions.

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My dear Margaret! how bothered you must feel by this well-meant but most trying mania of Prissy's for tidying up!" he exclaimed; but then added, “She had no one to contradict her for years. My poor mother was most carefully nursed and watched over until her death. But Prissy managed her like a child; and after she died there must have been two years of enforced idleness for Prissy, and we are getting all the pent-up energy poured upon us! Never mind, Maggie, you will be yourself again, I hope, and we'll have the old gentle rule once more."

CHAPTER VI.

FEBRUARY had commenced, but winter never relaxed its hold upon the earth. One or two snowdrops had shown their patient, drooping heads, but so grey a light hung over the frostbound gardens that no other signs of spring

were seen.

The old Vicar had written to extend the term for which he had asked Mr. Clayton to take his place; he feared, indeed, that age and infirmity would prevent his resuming the duties of his living, and therefore it seemed likely that Mr. Clayton would be permanently settled at Cray during the lifetime of the present Vicar. He was glad to know this,-glad to feel that the energy and life he was infusing into the parish work was not, apparently, doomed to be cut off before any result could be felt. Already there was an improvement in Cray. The congregation was larger, more attentive. The old

class of sing-song little boys, who had drawled the chants and hymns, had been transformed into a very respectable choir. This last was due principally to the energetic supervision of Miss Mordaunt, who was a thorough musician; and the new organ with which the old church was endowed by the late Countess of Glenmore's will, necessitated an organist, and then came surplices for the choir-boys, which greatly improved their appearance, and that of the church, although somebody wrote "No Popery!" on the vestry door the first Sunday the change was made.

Mrs. Clayton was better; she was able now to walk downstairs with her husband's support, and the doctor gave hopes that the air of Cray would continue to strengthen her, and that by the summer she would be able to undertake

her home duties again. How many longing hearts echoed this hope will readily be understood; but I think few can imagine how concerned was Mr. Clayton's mind when everything seemed so simple to the others. He reflected that Miss Prissy had given up the maiden home she had set up for herself at her mother's death, and that she had given it up to

come and superintend his household; and now, if Mrs. Clayton was mercifully restored to health, neither she or her husband could let Miss Prissy's removal from their home be other than a voluntary one suggested by herself. Gradually a feeling of the same kind damped the spirits with which the boys and girls viewed their mother's reappearance amongst them. It was still Aunt Prissy who jingled the keys, measured out the tea, reproved the lump-sugar pilferers, and kept the kitchen in a state of trembling obedience. Only Milly struck the hopeful chord when she looked up from a busy consultation with Arabella, and brightly whispered to her mother,

"How nice, mamma dear, it would be if somebody else was to be wanting Aunt Prissy to live with them, when you get a little stronger!" It was to

The boys had gone off to school. be Alick's last half, for he would be fifteen in June, and his father's means would not admit of longer tuition; in addition to this, Alick's godfather, who was a civil engineer of some eminence, had offered to take the boy into his office and give him an opportunity of learning the profession. Jessie was working away—not