"There, now lie back in your chair, and rest," she said, when he had finished his note, and signed his name.

"You do look a little tired," she added, with an anxious glance at him as she returned the desk to the table.
"Nonsense! tired with that slight exertion!" he responded gayly.

"You may read that over, and see if it wants any correction." She did so, then, turning toward him with an arch smile, asked, "May I criticise ?" "I should be happy to have the benefit of your criticism," he said, laughing; "but don't make it too severe, please." "Oh, no! I was only thinking that mamma, judging of her by myself, would not be half satisfied with such a bare statement of facts, and that I had better write a supplement, giving her more of the particulars." "I highly approve the suggestion," he answered, "only stipulating that you shall not spend too much time over it, and shall read it to me when finished." "I'm afraid it won't be worth your hearing." "Let me judge of that.

If not worth my hearing, can it be worth mamma's reading ?" "Perhaps so," she said with a blush; "because what I tell will be news to her, but not to you." "Ah! I hadn't thought of that.

But I shall want to hear it all the same, and take my turn at criticism." "If you are not more severe than I was, I can stand it," she said.