urning to Mrs.
Dillon, she added, "You may send her on Monday."

"An' she gets a mad streak along o' that pritty crathur," said Mrs.
Biddy, as she went down-stairs, "she desarves the warm bating she'll
get from her own mother at home."

CHAPTER II.

ANNORAH'S FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE SICK-ROOM.

Monday came, and Annorah came too. It was with a doubting heart and a
troubled look that Mrs. Lee introduced her into her daughter's
chamber. It would be difficult to find a plainer-looking or a more
awkward girl.

Mrs. Lee looked at the monstrous foot in its heavy shoe, and at the
thick, freckled hands, that seemed incapable of the gentle services
that Annie's helplessness required, and wondered at her own folly in
indulging the singular caprice of her daughter. But a single look at
Annie assured her that she, at least, felt no misgivings. Still, she
did not like to leave them by themselves until she had tested the new
attendant's ability.

"Annorah," she said, "what sort of work can you do? I'm afraid you
are not used to such services as Miss Annie will require."

"I can do most anything, ma'am," answered the girl resolutely.

"Indeed! Well, let me see how you would manage to place Annie on the
bed when she is tired of the sofa."

The words were scarcely out of her mouth before Annorah had lifted the
frail form of the invalid in her arms and deposited her in the middle
of the bed. Annie burst into such a laugh as she had not indulged in
for a year.

"I think you may be satisfied, mamma," she said; "I never was moved
easier."

Mrs. Lee began to think better of Annie's plan, and joined quite
cordially in her daughter's mirth.

"And if she were too tired to rest in any position, what would you
do?"

"Carry her to the windows, or out in the air, for a change.--Will ye
plaze to thry it, Miss Annie?"

"Not now, Annorah." Then looking towards her mother, she said, "Mamma,
you may be easy; Annorah and I shall get on famously together."

Thus assured, Mrs. Lee left them, and went down-stairs with a better
opinion of the rough Irish girl than she had thought it possible to
entertain an hour previous.

Left by themselves, the two girls began to form an acquaintance with
each other. Two persons more unlike could not have been brought
together. Annorah was evidently much interested in her young charge,
and felt the most unbounded sympathy in her sufferings. Annie spoke
first.

"Please draw my couch nearer th