the house' said Ethel. 'It is a real instance of kindness, and you
are bound to let her be as little in his way as possible.'

'He does mean well, I suppose,' said Leonard; 'but he is an awful
bother, and poor Ave gets the worst of it. One has no patience with
finikin ways in a man.'

'There's no telling how much I owe to my finikin brother Richard,'
said Ethel; 'and if you teach Ave to be loyal to the head of your
family, you will do her as much good as you will do harm by chafing
against his ordinances.'

'Don't you hate such nonsense, Miss May?'

'I can't love order as much as I honour it. Set tastes aside. The
point is, that if you are to hold together, Leonard, it must be by
bearing and forbearing, and above all, to your elder brother.'

'Well, it is a blessing that I shall be in school on Monday.'

'So it is,' said Ethel; 'but, barring these fidgets, Leonard, tell
me,' and she looked kindly at him, 'how is it at home? Better than
you expected, I hope.'

'Blank enough' said Leonard; 'I didn't think I should have minded the
sound of the surgery door so much.'

'You will have Sunday to help you.'

'Yes, Ave and I have been down to the churchyard; Ave does care, poor