"There's a bill put up on our door: the house is for sale--six thousand dollars. I'll warrant it could be got for five: I think it's worth six, though. We may have to move out at a day's notice, and we've just had this office newly papered, and the kitchen repainted, and, dear me! just got those Brussels carpets down in the parlors. It's too provoking! I know those carpets'll have to be cut and slashed into ribbons to make them fit other rooms. I was afraid of that when I got them. Until you own a house we oughtn't to get anything nice. But, oh dear! if I waited till we owned a home, I should go down to my grave on a two-ply. But where in the name of reason are we going? There isn't another vacant house in this neighborhood that I'd live in. And just think of the damage to your practice in moving your office! What are we going to do? Why in the world don't you say something? Can't you suggest something? One would think you hadn't any interest in the matter. But it's always the way. I've had to do all the planning for this family ever since I came into it, and I came into it before it was a family. Oh, you needn't smile: I know you're thinking that I haven't given you a chance to say anything; but I wouldn't talk if you'd talk, and I wouldn't bother myself about our arrangements if you would. It's too provoking about this house. It just suits me: there isn't a thing about it I should wish to have altered." "Closets, little kitchen, back stairs," said Napoleon, who had entered the office unobserved, and who had often heard his mother denounce the house as most inconvenient in these three particulars. "What have you come for?" the mother demanded sharply. "Go back to the sitting-room, and learn your geography lesson for to-morrow." "Have learnt it," replied the imperturbable Napoleon. "Then go and get your arithmetic." "Have got it." "Well, then, get your history." "Have." "And your grammar and spelling and German--you've learned them all, have you?" "Yes." "Then go and take your walk." "Have." "For pity's sake, what is it you haven't done?" "Nothing." "Every duty of life discharged, is it?" and Mrs. Lively smiled in spite of herself. "'Cept eating." "Except eating! Of course: I never knew a time in your life when you'd finished up your eating.--What are you going to do about that bill?" Mrs. Lively continued, turning to her husband. "I can't do anything about it except to leave it there," replied the gentleman, smiling quietly. "It's exasperating," cried the lady. "I don't see how I can ever give up this house." "We might buy it," said Dr. Lively. "I've been thinking about it for some time." "How can we? Where's the money?" "I have some in bank." "You have, and you didn't let me know it, you mean, stingy thing!" said Mrs. Lively between a pout and a smile. "How much have you in bank?" "Four or five thousand." "Why, where did you get it?" "Saved it."