Lower and lower dipped the moon--and higher mounted the shade upon the steeple--the golden trumpet was glistenless as the rest, and the stars only kept guard over the slumbering city, and the watcher knelt still--dreaming now love-dreams of appreciation and devotion--trances, almost realities in their passionate idealization; and then, as they cloyed by their very sweetness--or the real and the present would burst upon her, crying in anguished accents, "I thirst!" CHAPTER XII. Josephine Read gave a party--her first, and the first of the season; an onerous undertaking for a young, and comparatively inexperienced housekeeper; but she went about it bravely and confidently. She did not overrate her capacity; if she had a talent for anything, it was for housewifery--"driving" included. If her domestic machinery did not work well, it was not for lack of scolding; and, it was rumored, not because more stringent measures were not employed by her own fair hands. "Miss Josephine flies about the kitchen like a pea 'pon a hot shovel;" said Rachel, the day before that for which the rest of the week was made. "It's 'sprising how much spring she's got in that little body of hern, and how much spite too, if you'll 'low me to say it, Miss Ida." "I certainly shall not," said Ida, severely. "I do not care to hear your remarks upon her now, or at any time. They are neither respectful or becoming." "Law! Miss Ida! you know Miss Josephine as well as I do; what harm does my talking do? I was goin' to tell you, that I thought I should a' died laughin' to see how mad she was, when Joe dropped the big cake she sent to the confectionaries to have iced. Her face turned red as them curtains, and soon as she could move, she pulled off her shoe, and gave him such a lick 'pon the side of his head, I'll bound he seed stars!" "Are your preparations concluded?" asked Mr. Read, that night. "I believe so, sir." "'You believe so!' why can't you give a direct answer? I hate this mincing you women think so pretty. Are you ready!" "The table is not set," said Josephine, provokingly, "and the jellies and creams are not turned into the dishes yet." "What will this tomfoolery cost?" barked her father. "I don't know, sir--what other people's parties do." "You are wonderfully independent, young woman! you intend to foot the bills I hope." No answer, except a bar of a popular air, hummed, while trying on a head-dress. "Whom have you invited?" "There is the list--you can read it." He looked at it surlily. "How many rooms do you open?" "The parlors and dining room;--unless you prefer to have the dressing-rooms in the third story, and give up your chamber to the dancers." "Have the goodness to leave me out of the scrape. I shall go to bed directly after supper. You two may do your husband hunting without my help. I pity the man who gets either of you."