“I suppose it is—of some other people on some other seas and shores, on some other planets in this boundless universe, or it never would have come into my head; but it is not true of _this_ world, as far as I know!” When the last wonderful tale was told the family separated and retired to bed, leaving only Em. and her mother to settle up the kitchen. CHAPTER XXI THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late, Some happy revolution of their fate; Whose motions, if we watch and guide with skill, (For human good depends on human will,) Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent, And from the first direction takes its bent. DRYDEN. “Do you think they are all in bed and asleep?” whispered Em. as, having covered up the kitchen fire, the mother and daughter stood for a moment on the hearth, each with a short candle in a brass candlestick in her hand. “They are all abed, I’ll warrant you. I can’t say about their being asleep, though. Why do you ask?” inquired Susan. “Because one or another of the boys, or father, is sometimes going around after some door or window they have forgotten to look to, or something else, long after we have supposed them to be abed and asleep, mother.” “Well, what of it, Em.?” “Why, mother, I have something to tell you that I do not wish to have overheard by anybody.” “Is it the reason why you have stayed out so long?” “Yes, mother.” “Well, now, Em., that can keep till to-morrow morning. I know it’s about some poor family you have been visiting and want me to help, without your telling me, and I can attend to it to-morrow. I am too tired to-night for anything but my bed. There!” “But, dear mother, it is not about any family that needs help, or anything of the sort! Oh, mother, it is something I cannot speak to you of in the morning, when there is so much going to and fro, and we have no privacy.” “Well, then, I do suppose it is about Ronald Bruce you want to talk to me. But it is of no use, Em.! I agree with your father. You must give that young man up and forget him. And after to-morrow he _must not_ be allowed to come here again! He got his walking papers this morning, and he ought to have been guided by them and not returned. Though, of course, as he did so, and brought that rare old brandy for the sick woman, I had to attend to him and treat him with politeness. And, besides, to tell the truth, he has a way with him that nobody can resist. That’s the reason I say he must _never_ come here again! I told your father that he must put him _on his honor_ not to come again unless he came with Commodore Bruce’s authority to marry you. As that’s impossible, he’s sure not to return.” “It was not of Mr. Bruce I wished to speak, mother,” said Em. in a low tone.