Some years ago I spent a summer at Newport in the "House on the Cliffs;" among others, you were there, with your children. I was only a young girl at that time, but I was struck with the difference between your family and those of others; I did not understand then, nor do I know now, wherein this difference lay. But I am the mother of six children, the eldest a boy of fourteen, the youngest a baby. In deep humility, in bitter disappointment, my husband and myself have come to this conclusion: our boys and girls are exceptionally troublesome, or we are very bad managers. Our home-life is beset with disorder and discomfort, which is becoming intolerable. Well, can you, and will you, undertake the task of spending a day or two, more or less, as you think best, in our family? See for yourself where the fault lies, and act the part of a friend to us in the greatest emergency of our lives? It is asking a very self-denying act on your part; we realize that, but virtue has its own reward. Whatever strictures you may find occasion to make, will be thankfully received. We are unknown to you, but you are well known to us, and we put our cause into your hands. Truly yours, LUCY A. THAYER. Please address Mrs. Neilson Thayer, Box 298, New York. "It's a nice letter," Margaret reluctantly owned; "but you mustn't go." "Why not?" "There are five hundred and forty reasons why." "Tell me one." "Why should you, who can speak to thousands through your books, be pinned down to one disorderly family?" "Oh, that's no argument at all. If I were sitting on a pedestal, and had to climb down in order to help my brother, my sister, it might be a different thing. But I am not. My advantage over these younger people is, that I have longer experience of life than they have, and that's all." Margaret smiled. "I believe if the whole world knelt at your feet you wouldn't know it," she said. "I don't think I should, for I _wouldn't_ know it. And, Margaret, I think I shall go and have a long talk with these people; to do it, I may have to stay with them one night, as I suppose Mr. Thayer will only be accessible in the evening." "Well, it's just like you to do such things." "_That's_ not the way to put it. It's just like God to make His children serve one another." "Do go right away, then, and have it over with. You have spoiled me so, that I hate to have you out of my sight. However, I've plenty to do while you are gone." "Oh, I should not leave you if you had not. Let me see, I must write to this Mrs. Thayer, to say that I am coming. To-day is Friday--too late in the week; I'll go on Monday." CHAPTER XII.