reenhorn I imagine; but if she is honest
and willing, I can soon train her in my ways. And now I will leave you,
for you must sleep to-night, so as to be well to-morrow;" and with a
fond good-night, Miss McPherson left the room.

CHAPTER XII.

BESSIE'S SUCCESSOR.

With the morrow the new housemaid came, but Miss McPherson was too
anxious about her niece to observe more than that the girl was fresh,
and bright, and clean, with a wonderful brogue and a clear, ringing
voice. Miss Betsey had called the village doctor, who, after carefully
examining his patient, said she was suffering either from nervous
prostration or malaria, he could not tell which, until he had seen her
again; then, prescribing quinine for the latter, and perfect rest for
the former, he left just as the new girl appeared and with her
volubility and energy seemed to fill the house. As quickly as possible
Miss Betsey got her into the kitchen, and then went to her niece's room.

"I must have been asleep," Bessie said, "for I dreamed that I heard
Jennie's voice, and I was so glad that it woke me, and I thought I heard
it again. She was the Irish girl who was so kind to me on the ship. You
remember I told you of her."

"Yes," Miss Betsey replied, "I think you liked her very much."

"Oh, yes, very, very much, and I would give a great deal to see her
again, I believe I should get well at once, there is something so strong
and hearty about her."

To this Miss McPherson made no reply, but all the rest of the morning
she seemed very restless and excited, and was constantly hushing the new
girl, whom she once bade the cook _gag_, if she could not quiet her in
any other way.

"I have a sick niece up stairs, and you will disturb her," she said to
the girl, who replied:

"An' sure thin, mum, I'll _whisper_."

But her whisper seemed to penetrate everywhere, and Miss McPherson was
glad when at last the toast and tea and jelly intended for Bessie's
dinner were ready upon the tray which she bade the girl take up stairs
to the young lady whose room was at the end of the hall.

"An' indade I'd take off me shoes and go in me stockin' feet to be
quiet: an' it's niver a word I'll spake," the girl said, as she started
on her errand, while her mistress listened at the foot of the stairs.

Miss McPherson was prepared for a demonstration if some sort, but did
not quite expect what followed, for the moment the girl stepped into the
room, Bessie sprang up with