Mrs.Hamilton, who possessed a strong propensity for pulling down and building up, and who would have made an excellent carpenter, had long had an earnest desire for improving the homestead; and now that there was no one to prevent her, she went to work with a right good will, saying to Lenora, who remonstrated with her upon the impropriety of her conduct, that "she was merely carrying out dear Mr.Hamilton's plans," who had proposed making these changes before his death.
"Dear Mr.Hamilton!" repeated Lenora, "very dear has he become to you, all at once.

I think if you had always manifested a little more affection for him and his, they might not have been where they now are." "Seems to me you take a different text from what you did some months ago," said Mrs.Hamilton; "but perhaps you don't remember the time ?" "I remember it well," answered Lenora, "and quite likely, with your training, I should do the same again.

We were poor, and I wished for a more elegant home.

I fancied that Margaret Hamilton was proud and had slighted me, and I longed for revenge; but when I knew her I liked her better, and when I saw that she was not to be trampled down by you or me, my hatred of her turned to admiration.

The silly man who has paid the penalty of his weakness, I always despised; but when I saw how fast the gray hairs thickened on his head; how careworn and bowed down he grew, I pitied him, for I knew that his heart was breaking.