"What's her name?" questioned Lily.
"Never mind her name. I know a lady who is never ready at the time for which she makes an engagement, and who in this way makes herself a nuisance to all who are obliged to have any business with her; who always comes into church when the service is half over; who is late at every meal, either in her own house, or other people's—"
"Yes," said Lily; "and don't you remember, Tom, how mad papa was that time she came to dinner at our house when Mr. Francis was there; and he and papa had a very important engagement, and she kept the dinner waiting so long that they could not get to their engagement in time; and wasn't papa mad?"
"Not mad exactly," said Tom, "but he was very much vexed, and with reason; but I see you know whom I mean, Lily."
"Oh, yes, very well indeed; you mean Miss Lee. She's just too provoking for any thing; but then I never mean to be like her. Pretty soon I'm going to begin to correct myself of putting off, and not being ready in time."
"But why don't you begin now, right off?" said Tom.
"Would you?" asked Lily, doubtfully. "I thought I'd wait till I had the proverb picture."
"Yes, begin to-day, this very minute," said Tom.
"There's nothing for me to put off just now," said Lily.