first afternoon was a decided success. There was nothing
more said about her staying. She fell very naturally into her place in
the nursery, and she and the little people there soon became very fond
of each other. It was a busy life, and so far a pleasant one. When her
position and duties were no longer new to her, she accommodated herself
to them with an ease which would have surprised Aunt Elsie, and even
Effie, who had a higher opinion of Christie's powers than her aunt had.
She was very earnest and conscientious in all she did, and Mrs Lee soon
trusted her entirely. She must have left the children much to her care,
even though she had less confidence in her; for she did not gain
strength very fast. The baby was a fragile little creature, and rarely,
night or day, during the first three months of her life, was her
mother's care withdrawn from her. So the other children were quite
dependent on their young nurse for oversight as well as for amusement;
and considering all things, she did very well, for she tried to do
everything as in the sight and fear of God.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

"CLOSER THAN A BROTHER."

But all the days of that dreary autumn were not so happy. Indeed, there
were many times when Christie felt ready to give up in despair. Once it
happened that for weeks together the rain kept the little ones in the
house, and the only glimpse of the outer world which Christie could get
was from the nursery window. For one accustomed to a country life this
was no small deprivation, and though she was hardly conscious of the
cause, her spirits (never very lively) were ready to sink under it. She
became used to the confinement after a while, or rather, as she told
Annie, she did not mind it. But the constant attention which the little
ones claimed was a great strain on her cheerfulness. From early morning
till the hour when the unwilling eyes of the last of them were closed in
slumber, she had not a moment's respite. There was always something to
be done, some one to be coaxed or cautioned or cared for.

The little Lees were not naughty children. On the contrary, they were
very loving, affectionate little creatures. All of them, except,
perhaps, Letty, were easily amused and governed. But, as is the case
with all over-indulged children, they were inclined to be exacting when
they had the power; and it was no wonder that, among so many of them,
Christie sometimes grew weary even to exhaustion, and fanc