"Enough to leave us no excuse for idleness," added the mother, "but not so much that any one of us need feel overburdened; for 'many hands make light work.'"
"Especially when the head manager knows how to bring system to her aid," concluded Mr. Keith, with an affectionate, appreciative glance at his wife.
"Yes," she rejoined brightly, "very little can be accomplished without that, but with it I think we shall do nicely."
The little ones were asking when lessons were to begin.
"To-morrow, if mother approves," answered Mildred.
Her father smiled approval, remarking, "Promptness is one of Mildred's virtues; one we may all cultivate with profit."
"I quite agree with you, Stuart," Mrs. Keith said, "and yet it is sometimes best to make haste slowly. Mildred, my child, you have had a long, wearisome journey, and may lawfully rest for at least this one week."
"And we all need our new clothes made up," remarked Ada. "Mother, have Milly make your black silk dress first."
Mildred and Zillah chimed in at once, "Oh yes! certainly mother's dress must be the very first thing to be attended to."