A FEW days succeeding the last lesson, Mr. Dermott received letters which rendered it necessary for him to leave home sooner than he had anticipated. His wife keenly regretted this, as, aside from the great pleasure she experienced in his society, she had been so much assisted by him in the catechisings. As he must leave two days before the evening for another lesson, it was proposed by the children that the exercise should be anticipated that length of time; and Mrs. Dermott requested him to assume the character of teacher for the occasion. This she would at all times have preferred him to do; but he thought her gifted with a peculiar tact at imparting instruction; and then he was so liable to be called away. It was Isabelle's turn to answer the question, but she begged her mother, who sat by her side, to do it for her; when Mr. Dermott inquired, "Wife, where is the plan of our new house?" "In the secretary. Walter, pass it to your father." The boy opened wide his eyes with astonishment, but immediately obeyed, while little Belle whispered to her mother, "Shan't we have any story, then?" "I think so, my dear; but hear what papa is saying." "Who drew this plan, Walter?" "I heard you say, sir, that Mr. Bond, the architect, did, and that you gave him fifty dollars for doing it." "Yes, and it was cheap enough too; a very nice house it is; and how comfortable we have been since we moved into it! I remember well how pleased I was when he showed me this plan; and that after your mother and I had passed a whole evening in carefully examining every part, I determined, or purposed, that my house should be like it." The children had gathered around their father, though wondering not a little that he had so entirely forgotten their lesson. "See here," added the gentleman, turning the large sheet of stiff paper, at which they had been looking. "Here is what is called a framing plan, so that the carpenters may know, before they buy their lumber, exactly how much they shall need, and of what size. And here at the corner is a little sketch of the pillars to support the piazza, and the form of the brackets that go around the coving." "I heard the carpenters say," exclaimed Walter, "that it was a great help to have such a plan, and prevented much misunderstanding and unkind feeling; for often the carpenter will understand the contract one way, and his employer quite another; and he wished every man, who was going to build a house, would have an exact framing plan, as well as a profile of the rooms."