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“I don’t see that there is any use in our talking about these things, brother,” replied Mrs. Ludlow. “You know that you and I never did agree in matters of this kind. As I have often told you, I think you incline to be rather low in your social views.”

“How can that be a low view which regards the quality of another, and estimates him accordingly?” was the reply.

“I don’t pretend to argue with you, on these subjects, brother; so you will oblige me by dropping them,” said Mrs. Ludlow, coloring, and speaking in an offended tone.

“Well, well, never mind,” Uncle Joseph replied, soothingly. “We will drop them.”

Then turning to Emily, he continued–

“And so your minds are made up not to go to Saratoga?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Well, where do you intend spending the summer months?”

“I hardly know yet. But, if I have my say, we will take a trip in one of the steamers. A flying visit to London would be delightful.”

“What does your father say to that?”

“Why, he won’t listen to it. But I’ll do my best to bring him round–and so will Adeline. As for Florence, I believe I will ask father to let her go to Saratoga with the Joneses.”

“I shall have no very decided objections,” was the quiet reply of Florence. A half angry and reproving glance from her mother, warned her to be more discreet in the declaration of her sentiments.

“A young lady should never attempt to influence her father,” said Uncle Joseph. “She should trust to his judgment in all matters, and be willing to deny herself any pleasure to which he objected. If your father will not listen to your proposition to go to London, be sure that he has some good reason for it.”

“Well, I don’t know that he has such very good reasons, beyond his reluctance to go away from business,” Emily replied, tossing her head.

“And should not you, as his daughter, consider this a most conclusive reason? Ought not your father’s wishes and feelings be considered first?”

“You may see it so, Uncle; but I cannot say that I do.”

“Emily,” and Uncle Joseph spoke in an excited tone of voice, “If you hold these sentiments, you are unworthy of such a man as your father!”

“Brother, you must not speak to the girls in that way,” said Mrs. Ludlow.

“I shall always speak my thoughts in your house Margaret,” was the reply; “at least to you and the girls. As far as Mr. Ludlow is concerned, I have rarely occasion to differ with him.”

A long silence followed, broken at last by an allusion to some other subject; when a better understanding among all parties ensued.

On that evening, Mr. Ludlow seemed graver than usual when he came in. After tea, Emily said, breaking in upon a conversation that had become somewhat interesting to Mr. Ludlow–

“I’m not going to let you have a moment’s peace, Pa, until you consent to go to England with us this season.”

“I’m afraid it will be a long time before I shall have any peace, then, Emily,” replied the father, with an effort to smile, but evidently worried by the remark. This, Florence, who was sitting close by him, perceived instantly, and said–

“Well, I can tell you, for one, Pa, that I don’t wish to go. I’d rather stay at home a hundred times.”

“It’s no particular difference, I presume, what you like,” remarked Emily, ill-naturedly. “If you don’t wish to go, I suppose no one will quarrel with you for staying at home.”

“You are wrong to talk so, Emily,” said Mr. Ludlow, calmly but firmly, “and I cannot permit such remarks in my presence.”

Emily looked rebuked, and Mr. Ludlow proceeded.

“As to going to London, that is altogether out of the question. The reasons why it is so, are various, and I cannot now make you acquainted with all of them. One is, that I cannot leave my business so long as such a journey would require. Another is, that I do not think it altogether right for me to indulge you in such views and feelings as you and Adeline are beginning to entertain. You wish to go to London, because you don’t want to go to Saratoga, or to any other of our watering places; and you don’t want to go there, because certain others, whom you esteem below you in rank, can afford to enjoy themselves, and recruit their health at the same places of public resort. All this I, do not approve, and cannot encourage.”