nation and strength in the face of her friend, and who wished to temporize if possible, and gain time to bring the maternal forces into the field. "Don't you and Reuben go to quarrelling to-night. Sleep over it, and you'll feel different in the morning and, if you won't come over to our house for him, come for me. It's awfully lonesome for us two girls in such a storm as this, in this empty house; and, besides, I daren't stay when mother has sent for me. She'd be awful mad, and maybe come over after us herself. Do come home with me, and Reuben sha'n't say a word about it, anyway."
But Molly put her arms about the girl's neck, and, kissing her tenderly, repeated as firmly as ever,—
"I must stay here, Mercy; for my father and mother left me here, and I must obey them as you do yours. As for Reuben, I do not love him, and I could not make him happy or be happy myself with him; and it is much better the thing should end just here. I hope you will still be friends with me, Mercy,—you and all your house."
"As for that, I don't know," replied Mercy a trifle viciously, for her temper was getting the upper hand of her diplomacy. "I don't suppose we should feel just the same, any of us. But I don't believe we need spend much time settling all that, until your mother comes home, and we hear what she says."
"Yes: I guess she'll bring you to your senses, Mistress Mary," chimed in Reuben, whose face had for some moments presented a curious study of conflict-
