"Hurry, hurry," came the gentle authoritative voice. "I have oceans to do. What is it?" "Well, it is-- Why, nothing special, child, what made you think--" "You haven't gone and proposed to Miss Carlton, have you?" she gasped. "No, thank Heaven," came the fervent answer. "Careful, father. You mean it devoutly, I am sure, but Providence might mistake it for irreverence. Providence does not know Miss Carlton as we do, you know. Don't be afraid to tell me then--nothing else could be so terribly bad." "Well, dearest, I was just wondering if--don't you think, perhaps--if I help a lot, and see that the girls do their share--don't you think we could get along without Miss Carlton this year?" The General considered, her curly head cocked on one side, her brows knitted. "I wanted to take charge right after mother died--but you were not willing." "You were too young then, and still in school." "Aren't you satisfied with Miss Carlton's work?" she asked slyly. "Her work has nothing to-- Yes, of course I am, dear. And she is a good woman, very good. And has been a great help to us the last three years, at a very reasonable salary." "I have done most of the work myself, but you do not believe it," said Doris. "Yes, of course you have, dear. And the Problem is quite old now, and between the two of you--between the three of us, I mean--" "You mean, between me," said Doris frankly. "Your intentions are the best in the world, father darling, but if you ever broke into the kitchen you would very likely wipe dishes on sermon manuscripts--very good manuscripts, perhaps, but you can't practise on the dishes the Endeavor paid forty dollars for. And the Problem! But as you say, between me, I think perhaps I could get along without Miss Carlton nicely. She is rather hard to evade, isn't she, dearest?" Her father flushed boyishly. "I am sure, Doris--" "Yes, indeed, dear, so am I," she interrupted sweetly. "And I am truly proud that you have withstood so long. Stronger men than you have fallen in less persistent sieges. You have done well. But I hope you will remember that I have been praying right along that you might be given strength equal to the conquest, so don't take too much credit yourself." "Well, I suppose the poor thing really can't help--" "Oh, no, belovedest, of course she can't help it. Only I haven't noticed any married women finding you so irresistibly handsome, and fascinating, and all that, have you? At least, they don't come telling you about it to your face." Then at his guilty face she laughed, and snuggled on his knee, kissing his chin adoringly. "You are a dear sweet darling love," she said, "and I will do my best to make you comfortable, and keep the manse on four legs, or four wheels, or four--what is it a manse runs on, anyhow?" "Four girls," he said, laughing. "Mine does, anyhow." "Er, father, when will you break it to Miss Carlton?"