"What can it be that so interests my little wife that she does not even know that her husband has come home, after this their first day of separation? Have you no kiss of welcome for him, little woman?" The book was thrust hastily aside, and in an instant her arms were about his neck, her lips pressed again and again to his. "O Ned, I do love you!" she said softly, "but I began to think you didn't care for me--going to see mamma first, and then waiting to dress." "Mamma and grandpa were concerned in the business that took me away to-day, and I owed them a prompt report upon it; yet I looked in here first for my wife, but couldn't find her; then I asked for her, and was told that she had been seen going out for a walk. So I thought I would dress and be ready for her when she came in." "Was that it?" she asked, looking a little ashamed. "But," regarding him with critical eyes, "you'd better always let me help with your dressing; your cravat isn't tied nicely, and your hair doesn't look half so well as when I brush it for you." "Can't you set matters straight, then?" he asked, releasing her from the close embrace in which he had held her for the last few minutes. "Yes; just keep still as you are, and I'll re-tie the cravat." He held still, enjoying, as he always did, having her deft fingers at work about him, and gazing the while into the pretty face, with eyes full of loving admiration. "There!" she said at length, leaning back a little to take in the full effect, "I don't believe that can be improved upon." "Much obliged," he said, getting up from his knees. "Now, what next?" "Your hair, of course," she answered, jumping up and leading the way into the dressing-room. "Sit down," arming herself with comb and brush, "you know I'm not tall enough to reach your head while you're standing up." He obeyed, asking, "What have you been doing to-day?" "What a question!" she returned, laughing; "of course, I'd take my pleasure when my lord and master was away." "Don't call me that, dear," he said in a tone of gentle, half remorseful expostulation. "Why not? doesn't the Bible say Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord?" "But it doesn't say master, and besides, these are very different times." "We seem to have changed sides on that subject," she said, with a merry little laugh, as she laid the brush away, and standing behind his chair, put her arms around his neck and laid her cheek to his. He drew her round to a seat upon his knee. "Darling, I don't mean to play the tyrant, and am quite ashamed of some things I said last night." "Then you won't say them any more, will you? I was really afraid you were turning into a horrid tyrant. Oh, you haven't told me who the visitors are who came in the carriage with you!" "The daughter and niece of an old friend of my father's, Miss Fanny Deane and Miss Susie Fleming." "How long are they likely to stay?" "I don't know; probably two or three weeks."