“I think I will make a wonderful housekeeper, by and by, mamma,” Dexie said, as they were all seated in her mother’s room, and Mrs. Sherwood was regretting Aunt Jennie’s approaching departure.  “I am learning fast.  Even Nancy gives me encouragement.  The only thing that troubles me is the fact that Nancy thinks I am playing at housekeeping, and I am afraid she will resent my authority after auntie goes away.  I shall have to wear a cap and spectacles to add dignity to my new position,” she laughingly added.

“How absurd you are, Dexie,” said her mother, with a frown.  “If you intend to act as housekeeper I hope you will try and be less childish; and to go through the house whistling like a boy, as you did to-day, is far from lady-like.  Will you ever learn to be genteel like your sister Gussie?”

“I think Dexie should be given her full name in the future,” Gussie added, “if she intends to rush through the house like her namesake round the race course.”

“But I will not be called after Bonner’s trotting-horse!  I will not!” said Dexie, angrily.  “I fancy this would soon be a queer house if there was no one in it with more energy about them than you possess!  However, let us return to the matter under discussion,” said she, more mildly.  “I want to know, in case I make any savings from the month’s allowance, if I can pocket the remainder.”

“I am afraid, Dexie, that you will not find much left over, for the first few months,” her aunt said smilingly.  “You must allow something for your inexperience, you know.”

“Oh!  I know that, auntie.  But can I have it, mamma, much or little?  Make the bargain with me, mamma.”

“Certainly, Dexie; but you cannot expect to save much out of the usual month’s allowance unless you scrimp us.”

“Oh, I’ll promise not to scrimp,” was the laughing reply.  “But I am going to begin my reign while auntie is here; then my inexperience will not cost me so much.  I kept my eyes and ears open when I was at Mrs. Fremont’s, and I didn’t peep and listen either; but I learned a few things that I think will be a great help to me in my future sphere.”

“I think Gussie had better join you in this branch of study,” said Mr. Sherwood, laying down his paper.  “It will be as much benefit to her as to you.”

“Thanks, papa.  I beg to decline the honor!  I have no wish to shine as a domestic; it is not in my line,” said Gussie, in a lofty tone.

“Well, I do not expect to run the house as smoothly as Aunt Jennie—­I am sure you will not expect it of me, mamma—­but I will do my best, and it will be nice to learn just how to do things.”

“That is right, Dexie.  Every girl should learn how, even though she may never have to put her own hands to the work itself.  But do not be too particular about keeping within the monthly allowance; I am quite as willing to pay for housekeeping lessons as for music lessons.”

How Dexie prized the weeks that followed!  In after years she looked back to them with a thankful heart, for Aunt Jennie did not confine her teaching to the art of housekeeping alone.  The inward culture of the heart was not forgotten.  The good seed was sown with no sparing hand, and though some lay weeks, months and even years without bearing fruit, yet few were altogether lost.