we shall get on merrily without it."

"I dare say I shall die. Have you a piano here?"

May laughed outright, and answered in the negative.

"Well, how in the name of wonder do you manage to get on?" asked Helen,
folding her hands together, and looking puzzled.

"Just as you will have to, by and by," she replied; "but come, pin your
collar on, and come down to breakfast."

"I must say my prayers first," said Helen, dropping down suddenly on
her knees, and carelessly blessing herself, while she hurried over some
short devotion, crossed herself, and got up, saying:--

"But you keep servants, don't you?"

"I have heretofore attended to the domestic affairs of the house,"
replied May, shocked by her cousin's levity.

"Oh, heavens! I shall lose my identity! I shall grow coarse and fat;
my hands will become knobby and red; oh, dear! but perhaps you will not
expect me to assist you?"

"And why?" asked May, while the indignant blood flushed her cheeks, and
her impulse to say something sharp and mortifying to the young
worldling's pride, was strong within her; but she thought of the mild
and lowly Virgin, and the humility of her DIVINE SON, and added, in a
quiet tone, "Uncle Stillinghast will certainly expect you to make