"Be serious, Edward, and think of mamma! I cannot sit with my hands
before me, and let you be reploughed."

"I don't want. But--reploughed!--haw, haw! but you can't help me at
Logic, as you used at Syntax. Why, all the world knows a girl can't learn
Logic."

"A girl can learn anything she chooses to learn. What she can't learn is
things other people set her down to." Before Edward could fully digest
this revelation, she gave the argument a new turn by adding fretfully,
"And don't be so unkind, thwarting and teasing me!" and all in a moment
she was crying.

"Halloa!" ejaculated Edward, taken quite by surprise. "What is the
matter, dears?" inquired maternal vigilance from the other end of the
room. "You did not speak brusquely to her, Edward?"

"No, no," said Julia eagerly. "It is I that am turned so cross and so
peevish. I am quite a changed girl. Mamma, what _is_ the matter with me?"
And she laid her brow on her mother's bosom.

Mrs. Dodd caressed the lovely head soothingly with one hand, and made a
sign over it to Edward to leave them alone. She waited quietly till Julia
was composed: and then said, softly, " Come, tell me what it is: nothing
that Edward said to you; for I heard almost every word, and I was just
going to smile, or nearly, when you---- And, my love, it is not the first
time, you know. I would not tell Edward, but I have more than once seen
your eyes with tears in them."