AN EVENING AT HOME. 45

 

“Perhaps not. Well, you may do as
like. But I don’t know what your father
will say.”

Mrs. Lindley then left the room.

Edward Lindley was at the critical age
of eighteen ; that period when many young
men, especially those who have been blest
with sisters, would have highly enjoyed a
ball. But Edward was shy, timid, and
bashful in company, and could hardly ever
be induced to go out to parties with his sis-
ters. Still, he was intelligent for his years,
and companionable. His many good quali-
ties endeared him to his family, and drew
forth from his sisters toward him a very
tender regard.

Among his male friends were several
about his own age, members of families
with whom his own was on friendly terms.
With these he associated frequently, and
with two or three others, quite intimately.
For a month or two Helen noticed that
one or another of these young friends
called every now and then for Edward,