"I should think any kind of an astronomer might be mad!" she exclaimed. "Periods and distances are bad enough; but then come the perturbations! Here's one. We're used to it, to be sure; but we never know exactly where it may come in. The girl we live with has formed other views for herself, and is going off at a tangent. What is the reason we can't keep a satellite,—planet, I mean?"
"Barbara!" said mother, anxiously, "don't be absurd!"
"Well, what shall I be? We're all out of a place again." And she sat down resignedly on a very low cricket, in the middle of the room.
"I'll tell you what we'll do, mother," said Ruth, coming round. "I've thought of it this good while. We'll co-operate!"
"She's glad of it! She's been waiting for a chance! I believe she put the luminary up to it! Ruth, you're a brick—moon!"
[ *] Harry Goldthwaite is Leslie's cousin, and Mr. Aaron Goldthwaite's ward. I do not believe we have ever thought to put this in before.