'What would you have us do?' exclaimed Mary, a little nettled at my last remark.
'Do?' I replied, with emphasis; 'let the men keep house. Watch them, and learn the true method, which has for its motto,
"Maximum of work,
Minimum of trouble."'
By this time I began to feel anxious.—My sister had gone off into a fit of laughter that at first greatly roused my ire, but ultimately awakened anxiety, for she could not gain her breath. I rang for a servant; of course none came, for she always had to call them. 'They were having such a good time down stairs, they could not hear the bell,' so I poured out a glass of water, and, while she drank, seized the poker; stirred up the dying embers; put on a good back log; lit a large and strong Cabana to lend zest to my courage, and prepared to make one more effort for victory.
Gradually subsiding into a few occasional chromatic giggles, Mary looked through her beautiful eyes, glistening with tears of fun, and said, in a smothered whisper,
'Well, and what would you do?'
'Do?' I repeated. 'Let me have the reins for one month, and I will show you.'
There! it was out, and I felt relieved.
'But, William,' she whispered, pointing with anxiety to the door which stood ajar, 'how long do you suppose they would stay with you?'