"In my place, Zoe would call you an old flatterer," she returned with a
light laugh, but a tell-tale moisture gathering in her eyes.

"And what do you call me, my Violet?" he asked, putting his arm about
her, and drawing her close to his side.

"The kindest, best, dearest of husbands, the noblest of men!"

"Ah, my dear! who is the flatterer now?" he laughed. "I'm afraid you and
I might be accused of forming a mutual admiration society."

"Well, what if we do? isn't it the very best sort of a society for
husband and wife to form? Levis, am I to have no duties in this house?
none of the cares and labors that the mistress of an establishment is
usually expected to assume?"

"You shall have no care of housekeeping that I can save you from," he
said. "I undertake that, with Christine as my head assistant; though
you, of course, are mistress, with the right to give orders and
directions whenever you will--to housekeeper, servants, children, even
to your husband if you see fit," he concluded with a humorous look and
smile.

"The idea of my ordering you whom I have promised to obey," she returned
merrily. "But I'm afraid you are going to spoil me. Am I to have nothing
to do?"

"You are to do exactly what you please," he said: "the care and training
of our little one, aside from all the assistance to be had from