"People often ask for music, and it is more convenient to have it there than to come across the hall and through the sitting-room." Mr.Hamilton said nothing, but he secretly wished Mag's rights had not been invaded quite so soon.

His wife must have guessed as much; for, laying her hand on his, she, with the utmost deference, offered to undo all she had done, if it did not please him.
"Certainly not--certainly not; it does please me," said he; while Polly, who stood on the cellar stairs listening, exclaimed, "What a fool a woman can make of a man!" Three days after Mr.Hamilton's marriage he received a letter from Walter, saying that they would be at home on the Thursday night following.

Willie was in, ecstasies, for though as yet he liked his new mother tolerably well, he still loved Maggie better; and the thought of seeing her again made him wild with delight.

All day long on Thursday he sat in the doorway, listening for the shrill cry of the train which was to bring her home.
"Don't you love Maggie ?" said he to Lenora, who chanced to pass him.
"Don't I love Maggie?
No, I don't; neither does she love me," was the answer.
Willie was puzzled to know why any one should not like Mag; but his confidence in her was not at all shaken, and when, soon after sunset, Lenora cried, "There, they've come," he rushed to the door, and was soon in the arms of his sister-mother.

Pressing his lips to hers, he said, "Did you 'know I'd got a new mother?
Mrs.Carter and Leno--they are in there," pointing toward the parlor.
Instantly Mag dropped him.