THE CALICO PAPER. 183 woman and two children to the cars. An undertaking? It was an episode ; an incident; a diversion. Let Bismarck try it, that’s all I have to say.” “At least, we have two weeks to recover in,” said I. “That is something ; ‘ Do not let your blessings get mouldy,’ Mr. Beecher would say.” ; “J don’t know what Mr. Beecher would say,” persisted Alta, determined to have it out with her idea, “if he had it to do.” “ But two weeks to rest, all alone in this house!” For father did n’t count; he is so still; any moonbeam makes as little fuss in a house,— and both are off all day. As for Emma Elizabeth, she takes the time when mother is gone to visit her relations, and speak in meeting, and burn the steak, and have hash every day, and is so seldom in the way at all that she does not interfere in the least with the dusting ; and manifests no intention of taking any responsibility as to the chamber-work or lamp-trimming. “Two long, blessed weeks!” said Alta, when we drew breath again at night; it had taken all day to “ pick up” after the departed travellers; and the thermometer stood at 96° in the shade of the great elm in the garden. . “What shall we do with ourselves? Two weeks! two weeks! Why, Mari, when have we had two weeks to our- selves before ?” “Not since Bib was born, I’m sure.” And I ’m sure, indeed, we had n’t.