'Mother, can I have a little serious conversation with you?' askedDemi one evening, as they sat together enjoying the first fire of theseason, while Daisy wrote letters upstairs and Josie was studying inthe little library close by.

'Certainly, dear. No bad news, I hope?' and Mrs Meg looked up fromher sewing with a mixture of pleasure and anxiety on her motherlyface; for she dearly loved a good talk with her son, and knew that healways had something worth telling.

'It will be good news for you, I think,' answered Demi, smiling as hethrew away his paper and went to sit beside her on the little sofawhich just held two.

'Let me hear it, then, at once.'

'I know you don't like the reporting, and will be glad to hear that Ihave given it up.'

'I am very glad! It is too uncertain a business, and there is noprospect of getting on for a long time. I want you settled in somegood place where you can stay, and in time make money. I wish youliked a profession; but as you don't, any clean, well-establishedbusiness will do.'

'What do you say to a railroad office?'

'I don't like it. A noisy, hurried kind of place, I know, with allsorts of rough men about. I hope it isn't that, dear?'

'I could have it; but does book-keeping in a wholesale leatherbusiness please you better?'

'No; you'll get round-shouldered writing at a tall desk; and theysay, once a book-keeper always a book-keeper.'

'How does a travelling agent suit your views?'

'Not at all; with all those dreadful accidents, and the exposure andbad food as you go from place to place, you are sure to get killed orlose your health.'

'I could be private secretary to a literary man; but the salary issmall, and may end any time.'

'That would be better, and more what I want. It isn't that I objectto honest work of any kind; but I don't want my son to spend his bestyears grubbing for a little money in a dark office, or be knockedabout in a rough-and-tumble scramble to get on. I want to see you insome business where your tastes and talents can be developed and madeuseful; where you can go on rising, and in time put in your littlefortune and be a partner; so that your years of apprenticeship willnot be wasted, but fit you to take your place among the honourablemen who make their lives and work useful and respected. I talked itall over with your dear father when you were a child; and if he hadlived he would have shown you what I mean, and helped you to be whathe was.'

Mrs Meg wiped away a quiet tear as she spoke; for the memory of herhusband was a very tender one, and the education of his children hadbeen a sacred task to which she gave all her heart and life, and sofar she had done wonderfully well - as her good son and lovingdaughters tried to prove. Demi's arm was round her now, as he said,in a voice so like his father's that it was the sweetest music to herear:

'Mother dear, I think I have got just what you want for me; and itshall not be my fault if I don't become the man you hope to see me.Let me tell you all about it. I didn't say anything till it was surebecause it would only worry you; but Aunt Jo and I have been on thelook-out for it some time, and now it has come. You know herpublisher, Mr Tiber, is one of the most successful men in thebusiness; also generous, kind, and the soul of honour - as histreatment of Aunty proves. Well, I've rather hankered for that place;for I love books, and as I can't make them I'd like to publish them.That needs some literary taste and judgement, it brings you incontact with fine people, and is an education in itself. Whenever Igo into that large, handsome room to see Mr Tiber for Aunt Jo, Ialways want to stay; for it's lined with books and pictures, famousmen and women come and go, and Mr Tiber sits at his desk like a sortof king, receiving his subjects; for the greatest authors are humbleto him, and wait his Yes or No with anxiety. Of course I've nothingto do with all that, and may never have; but I like to see it, andthe atmosphere is so different from the dark offices and hurly-burlyof many other trades, where nothing but money is talked about, thatit seems another world, and I feel at home in it. Yes, I'd ratherbeat the door-mats and make fires there than be head clerk in thegreat hide and leather store at a big salary.' Here Demi paused forbreath; and Mrs Meg, whose face had been growing brighter andbrighter, exclaimed eagerly:

'Just what I should like! Have you got it? Oh, my dear boy! yourfortune is made if you go to that well-established and flourishingplace, with those good men to help you along!'

'I think I have, but we mustn't be too sure of anything yet. I maynot suit; I'm only on trial, and must begin at the beginning and workmy way up faithfully. Mr Tiber was very kind, and will push me on asfast as is fair to the other fellows, and as I prove myself fit to goup. I'm to begin the first of next month in the book-room, fillingorders; and I go round and get orders, and do various other things ofthe sort. I like it. I am ready to do anything about books, if it'sonly to dust them,' laughed Demi, well pleased with his prospects,for, after trying various things, he seemed at last to have found thesort of work he liked, and a prospect that was very inviting to him.

'You inherit that love of books from grandpa; he can't live withoutthem. I'm glad of it. Tastes of that kind show a refined nature, andare both a comfort and a help all one's life. I am truly glad andgrateful, John, that at last you want to settle, and have got such anentirely satisfactory place. Most boys begin much earlier; but Idon't believe in sending them out to face the world so young, justwhen body and soul need home care and watchfulness. Now you are aman, and must begin your life for yourself. Do your best, and be ashonest, useful, and happy as your father, and I won't care aboutmaking a fortune.'

'I'll try, mother. Couldn't have a better chance; for Tiber & Co.treat their people like gentlemen, and pay generously for faithfulwork. Things are done in a businesslike way there, and that suits me.I hate promises that are not kept, and shiftless or tyrannical waysanywhere. Mr Tiber said: "This is only to teach you the ropes,Brooke; I shall have other work for you by and by." Aunty told him Ihad done book notices, and had rather a fancy for literature; sothough I can't produce any "works of Shakespeare", as she says, I mayget up some little things later. If I don't, I think it a veryhonourable and noble profession to select and give good books to theworld; and I'm satisfied to be a humble helper in the work.'

'I'm glad you feel so. It adds so much to one's happiness to love thetask one does. I used to hate teaching; but housekeeping for my ownfamily was always sweet, though much harder in many ways. Isn't AuntJo pleased about all this?' asked Mrs Meg, already seeing in hermind's eye a splendid sign with 'Tiber, Brooke & Co.' over the doorof a famous publishing house.

'So pleased that I could hardly keep her from letting the cat out ofthe bag too soon. I've had so many plans, and disappointed you sooften, I wanted to be very sure this time. I had to bribe Rob and Tedto keep her at home tonight till I'd told my news, she was eager torush down and tell you herself. The castles that dear woman has builtfor me would fill all Spain, and have kept us jolly while we waitedto know our fate. Mr Tiber doesn't do things in a hurry; but when hemakes up his mind, you are all right; and I feel that I am fairlylaunched.'

'Bless you, dear, I hope so! It is a happy day for me, because I'vebeen so anxious lest, with all my care, I have been too easy andindulgent, and my boy, with his many good gifts, might fritter histime away in harmless but unsatisfactory things. Now I am at easeabout you. If only Daisy can be happy, and Josie give up her dream, Ishall be quite contented.'

Demi let his mother enjoy herself for a few minutes, while he smiledover a certain little dream of his own, not ready yet for thetelling; then he said, in the paternal tone which he unconsciouslyused when speaking of his sisters:

'I'll see to the girls; but I begin to think grandpa is right insaying we must each be what God and nature makes us. We can't changeit much - only help to develop the good and control the bad elementsin us. I have fumbled my way into my right place at last, I hope. LetDaisy be happy in her way, since it is a good and womanly one. If Natcomes home all right, I'd say: "Bless you, my children," and givethem a nest of their own. Then you and I will help little Jo to findout if it is to be "All the world's a stage" or "Home, sweet home",for her.'

'I suppose we must, John; but I can't help making plans, and hopingthey will come to pass. I see that Daisy is bound up in Nat; and ifhe is worthy of her I shall let them be happy in their own way, as myparents let me. But Josie will be a trial, I foresee; and much as Ilove the stage, and always did, I don't see how I can ever let mylittle girl be an actress, though she certainly has great talent forit.'

'Whose fault is that?' asked Demi, smiling, as he remembered hismother's early triumphs and unquenchable interest in the dramaticefforts of the young people round her.

'Mine, I know. How could it be otherwise when I acted Babes in theWood with you and Daisy before you could speak, and taught Josie todeclaim Mother Goose in her cradle. Ah, me! the tastes of the mothercome out in her children, and she must atone for them by letting themhave their own way, I suppose.' And Mrs Meg laughed, even while sheshook her head over the undeniable fact that the Marches were atheatrical family.

'Why not have a great actress of our name, as well as an authoress, aminister, and an eminent publisher? We don't choose our talents, butwe needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what wewant. I say, let Jo have her way, and do what she can. Here am I totake care of her; and you can't deny you'd enjoy fixing herfurbelows, and seeing her shine before the footlights, where you usedto long to be. Come, mother, better face the music and march gaily,since your wilful children will "gang their ain gait".'

'I don't see but I must, and "leave the consequences to the Lord", asMarmee used to say when she had to decide, and only saw a step of theroad. I should enjoy it immensely, if I could only feel that the lifewould not hurt my girl, and leave her unsatisfied when it was toolate to change; for nothing is harder to give up than the excitementsof that profession. I know something of it; and if your blessedfather had not come along, I'm afraid I should have been an actressin spite of Aunt March and all our honoured ancestors.'

'Let Josie add new honour to the name, and work out the family talentin its proper place. I'll play dragon to her, and you play nurse, andno harm can come to our little Juliet, no matter how many Romeosspoon under her balcony. Really, ma'am, opposition comes badly froman old lady who is going to wring the hearts of our audience in theheroine's part in Aunty's play next Christmas. It's the mostpathetic thing I ever saw, mother; and I'm sorry you didn't become anactress, though we should be nowhere if you had.'

Demi was on his legs now, with his back to the fire, in the lordlyattitude men like to assume when things go well with them, or theywant to lay down the law on any subject.

Mrs Meg actually blushed at her son's hearty praise, and could notdeny that the sound of applause was as sweet now as when she playedthe Witch's Curse and The Moorish Maiden's Vow long years ago.

'It's perfectly absurd for me to do it, but I couldn't resist when Joand Laurie made the part for me, and you children were to act in it.The minute I get on the old mother's dress I forget myself and feelthe same thrill at the sound of the bell that I used to feel when wegot up plays in the garret. If Daisy would only take the daughter'spart it would be so complete; for with you and Josie I am hardlyacting, it is all so real.'

'Especially the hospital scene, where you find the wounded son. Why,mother, do you know when we did that at last rehearsal my face waswet with real tears as you cried over me. It will bring down thehouse; but don't forget to wipe 'em off, or I shall sneeze,' saidDemi, laughing at the recollection of his mother's hit.

'I won't; but it almost broke my heart to see you so pale anddreadful. I hope there will never he another war in my time, for Ishould have to let you go; and I never want to live through the sameexperience we had with father.'

'Don't you think Alice does the part better than Daisy would? Daisyhasn't a bit of the actress in her, and Alice puts life into thedullest words she speaks. I think the Marquise is just perfect in ourpiece,' said Demi, strolling about the room as if the warmth of thefire sent a sudden colour to his face.

'So do I. She is a dear girl, and I'm proud and fond of her. Where isshe tonight?'

'Pegging away at her Greek, I suppose. She usually is in the evening.More's the pity,' added Demi, in a low tone, as he stared intently atthe book-case, though he couldn't read a title.

'Now, there is a girl after my own heart. Pretty, well-bred,well-educated, and yet domestic, a real companion as well ashelp-meet for some good and intelligent man. I hope she will findone.'

'So do I,' muttered Demi.

Mrs Meg had taken up her work again, and was surveying ahalf-finished buttonhole with so much interest that her son's faceescaped her eye. He shed a beaming smile upon the rows of poets, asif even in their glass prison they could sympathize and rejoice withhim at the first rosy dawn of the great passion which they knew sowell. But Demi was a wise youth, and never leaped before lookingcarefully. He hardly knew his own heart yet, and was contented towait till the sentiment, the fluttering of those folded wings hebegan to feel, should escape from the chrysalis and be ready to soaraway in the sunshine to seek and claim its lovely mate. He had saidnothing; but the brown eyes were eloquent, and there was anunconscious underplot to all the little plays he and Alice Heathacted so well together. She was busy with her books, bound tograduate with high honours, and he was trying to do the same in thatlarger college open to all, and where each man has his own prize towin or lose. Demi had nothing but himself to offer and, being amodest youth, considered that a poor gift till he had proved hispower to earn his living, and the right to take a woman's happinessinto his keeping.

No one guessed that he had caught the fever except sharp-eyed Josie,and she, having a wholesome fear of her brother - who could be ratherawful when she went too far - wisely contented herself with watchinghim like a little cat, ready to pounce on the first visible sign ofweakness. Demi had taken to playing pensively upon his flute after hewas in his room for the night, making this melodious friend hisconfidante, and breathing into it all the tender hopes and fears thatfilled his heart. Mrs Meg, absorbed in domestic affairs, and Daisy,who cared for no music but Nat's violin, paid no heed to thesechamber concerts, but Josie always murmured to herself, with anaughty chuckle, 'Dick Swiveller is thinking of his Sophy Wackles,'and bided her time to revenge certain wrongs inflicted upon her byDemi, who always took Daisy's side when she tried to curb the spiritsof her unruly little sister.

This evening she got her chance, and made the most of it. Mrs Meg wasjust rounding off her buttonhole, and Demi still strolling restlesslyabout the room, when a book was heard to slam in the study, followedby an audible yawn and the appearance of the student looking as ifsleep and a desire for mischief were struggling which should bemaster.

'I heard my name; have you been saying anything bad about me?' shedemanded, perching on the arm of an easychair.

Her mother told the good news, over which Josie duly rejoiced, andDemi received her congratulations with a benignant air which made herfeel that too much satisfaction was not good for him, and incited herto put a thorn into his bed of roses at once.

'I caught something about the play just now, and I want to tell youthat I'm going to introduce a song into my part to liven it up a bit.How would this do?' and seating herself at the piano she began tosing to these words the air of 'Kathleen Mavourneen':

She got no further, for Demi, red with wrath, made a rush at her, andthe next moment a very agile young person was seen dodging roundtables and chairs with the future partner of Tiber & Co. in hotpursuit. 'You monkey, how dare you meddle with my papers?' cried theirate poet, making futile grabs at the saucy girl, who skipped to andfro, waving a bit of paper tantalizingly before him.

'Didn't; found it in the big "Dic". Serves you right if you leaveyour rubbish about. Don't you like my song? It's very pretty.'

'I'll teach you one that you won't like if you don't give me myproperty.'

'Come and get it if you can'; and Josie vanished into the study tohave out her squabble in peace, for Mrs Meg was already saying:

'Children, children! don't quarrel.'

The paper was in the fire by the time Demi arrived and he at oncecalmed down, seeing that the bone of contention was out of the way.

'I'm glad it's burnt; I don't care for it, only some verse I wastrying to set to music for one of the girls. But I'll trouble you tolet my papers alone, or I shall take back the advice I gave mothertonight about allowing you to act as much as you like.'

Josie was sobered at once by this dire threat, and in her mostwheedling tone begged to know what he had said. By way of heapingcoals of fire on her head he told her, and this diplomaticperformance secured him an ally on the spot.

'You dear old boy! I'll never tease you again though you moon andspoon both day and night. If you stand by me, I'll stand by you andnever say a word. See here! I've got a note for you from Alice.Won't that be a peace-offering and soothe your little feelings?'

Demi's eyes sparkled as Josie held up a paper cocked hat, but as heknew what was probably in it, he took the wind out of Josie's sails,and filled her with blank astonishment by saying carelessly:

'That's nothing; it's only to say whether she will go to the concertwith us tomorrow night. You can read it if you like.'

With the natural perversity of her sex Josie ceased to be curious themoment she was told to read it, and meekly handed it over; but shewatched Demi as he calmly read the two lines it contained and thenthrew it into the fire. 'Why, Jack, I thought you'd treasure everyscrap the "sweetest maid" touched. Don't you care for her?'

'Very much; we all do; but "mooning and spooning", as you elegantlyexpress it, is not in my line. My dear little girl, your plays makeyou romantic, and because Alice and I act lovers sometimes you takeit into your silly head that we are really so. Don't waste timehunting mares nests, but attend to your own affairs and leave me tomine. I forgive you, but don't do it again; it's bad taste, andtragedy queens don't romp.'

The last cut finished Josie; she humbly begged pardon and went off tobed, while Demi soon followed, feeling that he had not only settledhimself but his too inquisitive little sister also. But if he hadseen her face as she listened to the soft wailing of his flute hewould not have been so sure, for she looked as cunning as a magpie asshe said, with a scornful sniff: 'Pooh, you can't deceive me; I knowDick is serenading Sophy Wackles.'