"As long as Miss Schwarmer is there I feel as though the Hill has a guardian angel--or a recording angel at least, Ralph." "Be careful though. Don't let them harness you into doing any hard work at the library. You know rich women are apt to do that sort of thing and you have to be extra careful of your health just now. Your mother would never forgive me if I should let you overdo while she is away." "Don't be foolish, Ralph. You know how it has always been with papa and mamma. They were over-solicitous. I was never so strong and healthy in my life as I am now. I feel as though I could work, and should be glad to in such a cause. Only think of it! The gift of books and books and books and books instead of firecrackers and cartridges and toy pistols! An invitation to come and help arrange them instead of an order to pack up and leave the country to get rid of the horrible Fourth! Then the exercises in the Library instead of the carnival of death and destruction. Can you realize it, Ralph? Do you really take it all in?" She seized hold of his arms and gave him a vigorous shaking up. "You see Dombey got here first; but how well you are looking," exclaimed Adelaide, when Ruth entered the library. "How plump and fair you have grown since I was here! Let me kiss you." A pink glow came to Ruth's cheek which made her pretty face look still prettier, and had its effect on Adelaide also. She added shyly: "Are you tired? Did you walk? I ought to have come for you in my phaeton." "My husband brought me," replied Ruth, recovering herself in time to meet the formal salutation and the cold discriminating glance of Mrs. Schwarmer, with wifely dignity. "I trust your father and mother are usually well. Perhaps I ought to have sent for them to assist me in this matter; but Adelaide told me you were very enthusiastic about the library and knew everything about books. There's an alcove set aside for the very, very choice ones--books that no one should be allowed to handle, who is ignorant of their value, so the Librarian says; but he has so much to do, we are going to help him all we can." "Papa and mamma are in Chicago with an uncle who is very ill--not expected to live day after day."