the sound, and grew faint
with her longing to be there.

The letter came at last. Annie was to do as she thought best, Effie
said. She could judge what was wisest, and what she would like, better
than they could, who were so far-away; but as for Christie, she was to
come home. Not to exchange with Sarah, however. Whether one of them
would go back, or whether both were to stay at home, was to be decided
afterwards; but in the meantime Christie was to come home.

"Think of it!" Effie said; "six long months away! Aunt Elsie, Mrs
Nesbitt, old Mrs Grey--everybody said she must come home."

How the poor girl's heart leaped to meet the welcome that awaited her!
Yes, she must go home, for a little while at least. Mrs Lee was
grieved at the prospect of parting with her. Christie was almost vexed
with herself that the thought of leaving her and the children should not
be more painful to her. But there was too much joy in her heart to
leave room for more sorrow.

"I didna think I should be so glad to go," she said to Annie many times
during their last walk from church. Annie laughed.

"You have forgotten Aunt Elsie and all other vexations. Wait till you
get home. It won't be all sunshine there, I can tell you."

But even the thought of Aunt Elsie had not the power of making Christie
anything but glad. She was afraid of nothing, except that something
might happen to hinder her going home.

"You foolish child!" said Annie, laughing. "What could happen?"

CHAPTER EIGHT.

"MAN PROPOSES, GOD DISPOSES."

But something _did_ happen. That night, when Christie went home, she
found Mrs Lee ill. She was not very ill, at least, not much more so
than she had been for a long time. She had been quite unfit for the
fatigue of nursing her husband, and now that he was better, her strength
forsook her. There was a dull, low fever upon her. The doctor said
Mrs Greenly must be sent for and the baby must be weaned. Christie's
heart sickened as she heard all this. Could she leave the baby to a
strange nurse? It would greatly add to the anxiety of the mother, and
might hinder her recovery for a time, even to know that the children,
and especially the delicate baby, must be left to the care of a
stranger. Ought she to go home?

What a wakeful, miserable night she passed! She fancied she could bear
to stay; but to disappoint Effie and all at home was very painful. Must
she stay? It seemed so hard to change her pl