ighly indeed. You must have
been very useful to her; and I dare say she was very kind to you."

Remembering all they had passed through together, Christie could hardly
restrain her tears. But, as the lady seemed to expect an answer, she
said, with some difficulty--

"She was very kind to me, and I loved her dearly--and the children."

It is possible Mrs Seaton did not consider much love necessary between
mistress and maid. She did not look as though she did, as Christie
could not help thinking as she glanced towards her.

"And you got on nicely with the children, did you? Of course you will
have little to do here in comparison with what you must have had there.
But my wilful Clement, I am afraid, you will find too much for you. He
is a masterful lad."

She did not speak regretfully, as though the child's wilfulness grieved
her very much, but rather the contrary. And, indeed, one could hardly
wonder at the pride in her voice as Master Clement rushed in among them.
He was a child that any mother would own with pride--a picture of
robust health and childish beauty. His brown curls were sadly
disordered. One arm was thrust into the sleeve of his frock, in a vain
attempt to finish the dressing which Mattie had commenced. One foot was
bare, and he carried in his hand his stocking and shoe. He walked
straight up to his sister, saying gravely:

"Baby is crying, and I came to tell mamma."

She did not answer him, but laying down Claude's head on the pillow, she
began to arrange his disordered dress. He submitted quite patiently to
the operation, only saying, now and then, as he turned round to look in
her face:

"Am I naughty, Tudie? Are you going to punish me?"

She did not answer him. Indeed, there was no occasion. He did not seem
at all afraid of the punishment, whatever it might be. When she had
tied on his shoe, he slipped from her, and flung himself on the sofa
beside his brother. He did not mean to be rough with him, but the
little fellow uttered a peevish cry, and pushed him away.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. Don't cry."

His little brown hand was laid softly on Claude's pale cheek, and their
brown curls mingled as their heads were laid on the same pillow. What a
contrast they presented! Christie could hardly persuade herself these
were the little lads that she and the Lee children used to admire so
much--partly because they were so pretty, and partly because they were
so much alike. They