score downtown, and usually it was because women were playing the mischief with them—­too often women of their own households, who had no more idea of the worth of a dollar, or how it is obtained, than a kitten.  The one idea is to marry for money, and then to spend it in parade.  I believe you will be like your sister Mary, who has given me a home, quiet, and peace.” ("If I ever give a man anything I’ll give him a great deal more than that,” Madge thought.) “And now,” concluded Mr. Muir, “speaking of money, I wish to go over your accounts with you soon, that you may know everything and understand everything.  It’s absurd for women to be helpless and dependent in this respect.  You should know all about your property, and the time has come when you should learn what are regarded as safe investments, and what are not.  My life is as uncertain as any other man’s, and I intend that you sisters shall not be like two children, who must do blindly what some trustee tells you to do;” and Mr. Muir complacently led the way to the breakfast-room, feeling that as guardian he had done his duty both morally and financially.

It was his way to speak plainly and promptly all he desired to say, and then, according to his creed, if people had sense they would do what was wise; if they had not, the less said the better.

Mrs. Muir was voluble during the morning meal.  Now that Madge had come again within the sphere of her domestic energy, she was fall of plans and projects.

“Of course,” she said, “you have nothing to wear.  The outlandish dresses that you had made at that jumping-off place in the West won’t answer.  As soon as the Waylands have made their call we must go out and begin ordering your summer outfit.  Perhaps Mrs. Wayland will go with us.”

“Patience, Mary.  We are not ready to order outfits yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because we do not want to buy what interested shopmen and milliners may choose to palm off on us.  You live such a domestic life that you are scarcely better informed than I as to the latest modes.  We will drive in the park, use our eyes on the avenue, and visit several fashionable establishments first.  Then I wish to find a dressmaker who is not an idiotic slave of fashion, and who can modify the prevailing styles by taste and appreciation of the person for whom she works.  The one whom I employ must make dresses for me and under my direction, and not dresses in the abstract, as if they were for the iron-framed form on which she exhibits her wares.”

“Good!” cried Mr. Muir; “Madge’s head is level.  Let her have her own way, Mary, and she will come out all right.”

“Well,” said Mrs. Muir, “I suppose it will take a little time for me to get used to all these changes.  Before she went away I used to do everything for her.  I’m going to have my own way in one thing, however.  You must not write to Graydon a word beyond the fact that Madge is here.  You have both laughed at me and my wonder, and I’m going to have the compensation of seeing him transformed into exclamation points.”