“I do declare, child, that your week’s stay at the old commodore’s hasn’t improved you much! I didn’t notice it last night by candle-light, but now I see you by daylight, you are as pale as a ghost.” “Yes, _that_ she is,” chimed in several of the others. “It is sitting so much over her needle! She sha’n’t do it again, that is certain,” said John positively. “No, she sha’n’t, and I am glad this is Sunday, so she may have a complete rest,” added Susan. The nearest church was thirty miles off; so John Palmer’s family could only attend it once a month, on communion days, when they had to take a Saturday afternoon’s journey and stay over until Monday morning. But whether they were privileged to go to church, or compelled to stay at home, the Sabbath was always conscientiously observed by them. After breakfast, when order was restored, John Palmer assembled his family and read the morning service, every member of the household taking part in it. They had always a nice, appetizing Sunday dinner, though no cooking was ever done beyond boiling water to make tea or coffee and warming over the soup and meat that had been prepared the day before. After dinner each individual pleased himself or herself by reading, walking, talking or sleeping. This particular Sunday afternoon, however, all the family were assembled around the fire in the sitting-room, questioning Em. concerning her week’s sojourn on the mountain, and she was telling them all she could communicate without unveiling the mystery of her own heart. While they were all thus engaged the old gatekeeper, ’Sias, put his head in at the door and said: “Young Marse Lieutenant Ronald Bruce have come to see you, sar, and would like to pay his dispects, if conwenient.” “Mr. Bruce! Well, I declare!” exclaimed Susan Palmer in surprise. “Humph! I thought as much!” said Ann Whitlock significantly. “Am I to denounce de young ge’man into de house?” inquired old ’Sias. “Yes, certainly,” cordially responded John Palmer, while Em.’s heart bounded with delight. CHAPTER XVI PROPOSALS Heaven, forming each on other to depend, As master, or as servant, or as friend, Bids each on other for assistance call, Till one man’s weakness makes the strength of all. Wants, frailties, passions closer still ally The common interest, or endear the tie. To those we owe true friendship, love sincere, Each home-felt joy that life inherits here. POPE. Ronald Bruce came in smiling. All the family arose to receive him. “Don’t let me disturb you, pray. How do you do, Mr. Palmer! And you, madam!” said the young man, shaking hands with John, bowing to Susan, and then pressing the hand of Em. before he finally subsided into the chair set for him by Tom.