What have you been doing besides napping ?" "Enjoying my lovely, lovely rooms, papa, and examining the closets and wardrobe and bureau, to find out just where all my things have been put." "That was well.

Do you know any thing about housework,--sweeping, dusting, and keeping things neat and tidy ?" "Not very much, papa." "That is to be a part of your education," he said.

"I want my daughters to become thorough housekeepers, conversant with all the details of every branch of the business.

Gracie is not old enough or strong enough to begin that part of her training yet, but you are; so you must take care of your rooms yourself, except when something more than sweeping, dusting, and bed-making is needed." "I'd like well enough to do it sometimes, papa," she said, looking a little crestfallen; "but I don't like to be tied down to doing it every day, because some days I shall want to be busy at something else; and besides, it is so much like being a servant." "My little girl, that isn't a right kind of pride; honest labor is no disgrace; and 'Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work,' is as much a command of God as the 'In it (the sabbath) thou shalt not do any work.'" "Yes, papa: and I don't think I'm lazy; I like to be busy, and sometimes work for hours together at my fret-sawing." "No, I have never thought you an indolent child," he said, smoothing her hair caressingly; "but I am afraid you are wilful, and inclined to think yourself wiser than your elders, even your father." "Please, papa, don't think that," she said, blushing, and hanging her head: "I know you are much wiser than I am." "Is it, then, that you doubt my affection for you ?" he asked seriously.
"Why, papa, how could I, when you are so good to me, and often tell me that you love me dearly ?" "What, then, is the trouble?
if you believe your father to be both wise and loving, and if you love him, and want to please him, how can you object to his plans and wishes for you ?" "But, papa, who is to teach me how to take care of my rooms?
Not mamma Vi, I suppose?
I never saw her do any such work; and--would you want me taught by one of the servants ?" she queried, blushing vividly.
"No," he said: "I have a better plan than that.

I have engaged Christine to be housekeeper here, and she will instruct you in all housewifely arts.