“I grant,” conceded Clemence, “that she has no taste, but she has little time for its indulgence, so, perhaps, she is as well off without it.  The poor woman is a perfect drudge.  She never has a pitying word, or a sympathetic look, even from her husband.  He seems to think that she is only filling her appropriate sphere.  Yet, I do not think he means to be cruel.  He, works hard himself, and expects every one around him to do the same.”

“I’ll tell you what I think about it,” said Mrs. Swan, energetically, “she never was the wife for him.  With a woman who had the least ambition, their home would present a far different aspect.  As it is, you know, Miss Graystone, it does look enough to disgust a neat man like him.  No one can say, either, but what he furnishes liberally everything necessary for the household, and she is as close and saving as he is, for all she denies it.”

“That is all very true,” responded Clemence, “but for all that, I can’t help but pity her.  It seems as if their home might be rendered pleasanter.  There is enough material there to bring out, and it only wants somebody to give them a friendly hint.”

“And you think you are just the one to do it, and that it is your obvious duty, and all that?” said Mrs. Swan.  “Now, just take my advice, and don’t burn your fingers meddling with other people’s affairs, nor do any such foolish thing for conscience sake.”

“But if I think I ought, ‘to do unto others,’ you know,” said Clemence, doubtingly.

“But you had not ought.  Just leave matters as they are, and they will come right of themselves, and if they don’t, why, it’s no fault of yours.”

“That strikes me as a selfish policy,” she said.  “I can’t reconcile it with my ideas of what is right.”

“It’s a safe one, for all that,” was the reply.  “Take heed to my words, and let the Owen’s affairs alone.  You don’t expect to revolutionize the family by one effort.”

“Still, I can’t help but feel sorry for this overworked woman,” said Clemence, “and what is more, I think as one of my own sex, I may be able to do her some kindness without injury to any one.  She has neither grace nor refinement, such as most women have in common with each other, whatever may be their position in life.  I don’t think that she is naturally lazy, as you say.  At the foundation, her house is always clean.  It needs somebody to keep it in order, and have a place for everything and everything in its place,’ for the lack of which it presents this disordered appearance.  I believe I can be of some use to her, and shall try faithfully to do my whole duty in that respect.”

“You dear child,” said Mrs. Swan, kindly, “you shame me by your disinterestedness.  Remember, though, if you get into any difficulty, I have warned you solemnly, as I thought my duty.”

“I will remember,” said Clemence, laughing, “and in that event I shall expect, and doubtless receive your warmest sympathy.”