"I am not aware that Socrates thought it necessary to acquaint theworthy Xantippe with the reasons for his conduct," remarked Mr. Everidgesuavely. "The feminine mind is too much disposed to jump to hastyconclusions to prove of any assistance in deciding matters ofimportance. The masculine mind, on the contrary, takes time for calmdeliberation and weighs the pros and cons in the scale of a wellbalanced judgment before arriving at any definite decision. But myreason in this case will soon become apparent to you. I do not intend tokeep a boy at all."

"But who will take care of Atalanta? Are you going to forsake yourcherished books for a curry-comb?"

"Really, Marthe!" exclaimed her husband in an aggrieved tone, "it isincomprehensible that you should have such a total disregard for thedelicacy of my constitution,--especially when you know that the somewhatodor of the stable is abhorrent to my olfactory senses. Atalanta hasquarters provided for her at the Vernon Livery, and one of the groomshas orders to bring the carriage to the door at two o'clock everyafternoon."

"But that will make it somewhat awkward, Horace. I so often have to use thecarriage in the morning."

"'Have,' my dear Marthe, is a word which admits of manysubstitutions,--'cannot' in this case will be a suitable one. I find itis necessary to resume possession of the reins. Atalanta is retrogradingand is rapidly losing that characteristic of speed which made her name afitting one. There is a lack of mastery about a woman's handling of theribbons which is quickly detected by horses, especially when they are ofmore than average intelligence."

"But, Horace, if Reuben goes, Joanna will go too. You know she promisedher mother she would never leave him."

"In that event, my dear, you will have an opportunity to become moreintimately acquainted with the mysteries of the culinary art," observedMr. Everidge cheerfully. "It will be a splendid chance to evolve thatfinest of character combinations, Spartan endurance coupled withAmerican progressiveness."

Mrs. Everidge smiled. "But what if I do not have the Spartan strength,Horace?"

"That is merely a matter of imagination, my love. It proves the truth ofmy theory that necessity develops capacity. A woman of leisure, for wantof suitable mental pabulum, grows to fancy she has every ill that fleshis heir to, whereas, when she is obliged by compelling circumstances toput her muscles into practice, her mind acquires a more healthy tone.Self-contemplation is a most enervating exercise and involves atremendous drain on the moral forces."