'Nan,' said her sister, presently, 'didn't Mary and Edith have a notion that Captain King was at one time rather fond of you?' Nan's face flushed hastily. 'They--they--imagined something of that kind, I believe.' 'But was it true?' Nan raised herself up, and took her sister's hand in her two hands. 'You see, dear,' she said, gently, and with her eyes cast down, 'young men--I mean very young men--have often passing fancies that don't mean very much. Later on they make their serious choice.' 'But,' said Madge, persistently, 'but I suppose he never really asked you to be his wife?' 'His wife!' said Nan, with well-simulated surprise. 'Recollect, Madge, I was just over seventeen. You don't promise to be anybody's wife at an age like that; you are only a child then.' 'I am only eighteen,' said Madge. 'But there is a great difference. And recollect that Captain King is now older, and knows better what his wishes are, and what way his happiness lies. You ought to be very proud, Madge; and you should try to make him proud of you also.' 'Oh, I will, Nan; I will really. I wish you would teach me a lot of things.' 'What things?' 'Oh, you know. All the sort of stuff that you know. Tidal waves and things.' 'But Captain King won't have anything more to do with tidal waves.' 'Then we'll go round the shops to-morrow, Nan; and you'll tell me about Chippendale furniture and blue china.' 'Don't you think there will be enough of that at Kingscourt; and just such things as you couldn't get to buy in any shops?' 'Then what am I to do, Nan?' 'You can try to be a good wife, dear; and that's better than anything.' Madge rose. 'I'll let you off, Nan. But I do feel terribly selfish. I haven't said a single word about you----' 'Oh, but I don't want anything said about me,' said Nan, almost in alarm. 'Well, you know, Nan, everybody says this: that a clergyman's wife has more opportunities of doing good than any other woman; for, you see, they are in the middle of it all, and they can interfere as no one else can, and it is expected of them, and the poor people don't object to them as they might to others.' 'Oh, I think that is quite true,' said Nan, thoughtfully--perhaps with a slight sigh. 'Yes, I have often thought of that.' 'And you know, dear, that was what Providence meant you to be,' said Madge, with a friendly smile. 'That is just what you were made for--to be kind to other people. Good-night, old Mother Nan!' 'Good-night, dear.' They kissed each other; and Madge turned off the gas and left. Presently, however, Madge returned, opened the door, and came in on tiptoe. 'Nan, you are not asleep yet?' 'Of course not.' 'I wanted to ask you, Nan; do you think he would like me to work a pair of slippers for him?' 'No doubt he would,' was the quiet answer.