"That you cannot do," said Mr. Harley, "for I saw the gentleman with whom Nancy now lives yesterday, and he says she is worth everything to him—she is so quiet and methodical."

cares.

"And stupid and overbearing he might have added," said Mrs. Harley. "No, I won't go after her either; for if I send Bridget away and Mrs. Hopkins comes, she will oversee Dorcas, and we shall do very well yet: you may say what you please, husband, I am resolved to try a housekeeper. You know nothing about my Is not Johnny enough for one woman to take care of? and besides, what time could I get to sew, or read, or prepare for company, or receive any, if I made myself the slave you wish? If I have a housekeeper, she will take charge of all these things, and my mind need not be disturbed with what will we have for dinner?' and 'will you see to the pud-. ding yourself, my dear, and have it punctually served? No, thank fortune, you can discuss such matters with the housekeeper, and I shall be permitted to superintend my dressmaker, which is far more congenial to my mind."

D

6

"And elevating to your character, I suppose," said Mr. Harley, rather sarcastically. "You are too provoking," answered the indignant wife: "I wish to hear no more, for I am sleepy."

So saying, she betook herself seemingly to rest. What were the nature of her dreams, I will not pretend to say. Not so with Mr. Harley. He was tried beyond measure; mortification, anxiety, bitter reflections, and dissatisfaction with his manner of living, banished completely sweet forgetfulness. He would fain live rationally; with prudence, his gains would warrant many luxuries: still, though every avenue seemed closed that would bring about his purposes, he tried to think his wife's prediction might be verified, and that the housekeeper would restore some degree of comfort to his dwelling.

Thus he passed a wretched night. Towards morning the intoxicated Bridget was heard making her way to the kitchen; but having risen in the night and partaken of the liquor, she was illy qualified to procure a comfortable. breakfast. Her eyes were so dimmed that she hardly knew a frving-pan from a coffee-pot!

She mistook the uses of things, till, growing more and more bewildered, she seized hold of the table lest she should fall, and upset it, demolishing much of the useful crockery, besides cutting her head with some of the pieces.

Mr. Harley started from his bed and made for the kitchen in good earnest; seeing the dreadful havoc occasioned by the use of the jug which was standing on the mantel shelf (Bridget having obtained one of her own), he proceeded to the street, and engaged a man to convey the senseless domestic to the police court as soon as it opened. Here she, being recognised as an old offender, was conveyed, as usual, to the House of Correction for six months.

Mrs. Har ey awoke, and freshly pondering upon last night's lecture, resolved to acquit herself rather better as a good manager, and accordingly proceeded to the kitchen, where her eyes told her the scene that had occurred. The place was truly disgusting. Who would not rather exert themselves, if need require, than to intrust the care of the household establishment to hands so inefficient and irresponsible !

And now there came another eventful day. Dorcas and her mistress were once more alone, and they both determined to do as well as they could, cost them what labour it might. Accordingly, they went about the difficult process of preparing dinner. Once more they attempted to broil a steak and boil some rice-two very simple things, certainly. With the steak they were tolerably successful, but with the rice! Dorcas was untidy in the extreme, and, without any preparation, she threw the rice in a dingy pot: it burned upon the sides; and once more Mrs. Harley was lowered in her husband's eyes because she despised cooking.

CHAPTER VI.

THE HOUSEKEEPER.

WE are now to be ushered into the

presence of Mrs. Hopkins, the notable housekeeper, who is to take charge of everything, to bring "order out of confusion," and restore quietness where discord has reigned. She has just alighted from a carriage, bringing with her a large travelling trunk and valise, besides sundry band boxes, all of which indicated to the vigilant eyes of the neighbours that Mrs. Harley had a country cousin who had dropped down in an evil time, as they were aware of her inadequacy to take charge of those already under her care.

Mrs. Hopkins's appearance was masculine in the extreme; she looked competent to navigate a ship, to say nothing of managing a house. After considerable stir made by paying for her conveyance, which the coachman thought worth fifty cents, and Mrs. Hopkins but twenty-five, she closed the door with a loud invective against all hackmen, and, escort