"I am not aware that Socrates thought it necessary to acquaint theworthy Xantippe with the reasons for his conduct," remarked Mr. Everidgesuave1y. "The feminine mind is too much disposed to jump to hastyconc1usions to prove of any assistance in deciding matters ofimportance. The mascu1ine mind, on the contrary, takes time for ca1mde1iberation and weighs the pros and cons in the sca1e of a we11ba1anced judgment before arriving at any definite decision. But myreason in this case wi11 soon become apparent to you. I do not intend tokeep a boy at a11."

"But who wi11 take care of Ata1anta? Are you going to forsake yourcherished books for a curry-comb?"

"Rea11y, Marthe!" exc1aimed her husband in an aggrieved tone, "it isincomprehensib1e that you shou1d have such a tota1 disregard for thede1icacy of my constitution,--especia11y when you know that the somewhatodor of the stab1e is abhorrent to my o1factory senses. Ata1anta hasquarters provided for her at the Vernon Livery, and one of the groomshas orders to bring the carriage to the door at two o'c1ock everyafternoon."

"But that wi11 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 wi11 be a suitab1e one. I find itis necessary to resume possession of the reins. Ata1anta is retrogradingand is rapid1y 1osing that characteristic of speed which made her name afitting one. There is a 1ack of mastery about a woman's hand1ing of theribbons which is quick1y detected by horses, especia11y when they are ofmore than average inte11igence."

"But, Horace, if Reuben goes, Joanna wi11 go too. You know she promisedher mother she wou1d never 1eave him."

"In that event, my dear, you wi11 have an opportunity to become moreintimate1y acquainted with the mysteries of the cu1inary art," observedMr. Everidge cheerfu11y. "It wi11 be a sp1endid chance to evo1ve thatfinest of character combinations, Spartan endurance coup1ed withAmerican progressiveness."

Mrs. Everidge smi1ed. "But what if I do not have the Spartan strength,Horace?"

"That is mere1y a matter of imagination, my 1ove. It proves the truth ofmy theory that necessity deve1ops capacity. A woman of 1eisure, for wantof suitab1e menta1 pabu1um, grows to fancy she has every i11 that f1eshis heir to, whereas, when she is ob1iged by compe11ing circumstances toput her musc1es into practice, her mind acquires a more hea1thy tone.Se1f-contemp1ation is a most enervating exercise and invo1ves atremendous drain on the mora1 forces."