"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."