CHAPTER VIII.
DOMESTIC LIFE AT THE HOMESTEAD.
For a few weeks after Margaret's return matters at the Homestead glided on smoothly enough, but at the end of that time Mrs.Hamilton began to reveal her real character.

Carrie's journey had not been as beneficial as her father had hoped it would be, and as the days grew colder she complained of extreme languor and a severe pain in her side, and at last kept her room entirely, notwithstanding the numerous hints from her stepmother that it was no small trouble to carry so many dishes up and down stairs three times a day.
Mrs.Hamilton was naturally very stirring and active, and in spite of her remarkable skill in nursing, she felt exceedingly annoyed when any of her own family were ill.

She fancied, too, that Carrie was feigning all her bad feelings, and that she would be much better if she exerted herself more.

Accordingly, one afternoon when Mag was gone, she repaired to Carrie's room, giving vent to her opinion as follows: "Carrie," said she (she now dropped the _dear_ when Mr.Hamilton was not by), "Carrie, I shouldn't suppose you'd ever expect to get well, so long as you stay moped up here all day.

You ought to come down-stairs, and stir around more." "Oh, I should be so glad if I could," answered Carrie.
"Could!" repeated Mrs.Hamilton; "you could if you would.