on
his shoulder.

"Yes," said Christie, doubtfully. "He says he is better."

There was no mistaking the look of wistful interest that overspread her
face as she looked at the child.

"He is very good and patient, almost always," she added, as she met the
little boy's smile.

"I'm a great deal better," said Claude. "The doctor says I may ride on
the pony some day."

"Have you had much to do with children?" asked Aunt Barbara.

"I lived with Mrs Lee eight months."

"And she parted with you because she needed a person of more
experience?"

"Yes, I suppose so. I wasn't strong enough Mr Lee thought. I was very
sorry."

It was a sore subject with Christie yet, and the colour went and came as
she spoke.

"And where were you before?" asked Mr Seaton, wishing to relieve her
embarrassment.

"I was with our own children, at home. I was one of the children then
myself. I never was away from home before my father died."

"Look, here is something for you. Cousin Charles says it is for you.
It is a letter," said Clement, holding it up.

If there had been ten Aunt Barbaras in the room, Christie could not have
restrained the expression of surprise and pleasure that rose to her lips
at the sight of Effie's familiar handwriting, and her hands quite
trembled as she took it from the little boy.

"Now, Claudie," said the young lady, coming forward, "it is time for you
to go with Christie. Say `good-night' to father and Aunt Barbara."

For a single moment the look of peevish resistance that used to come so
often to the child's face passed over it, but it changed as Christie
stooped down, saying softly:

"Will you walk? or shall I carry you, as they carried the little boy
home from the field?"

"And will you tell me more?" he asked, holding out his hand.

"Oh, yes; and how glad his mother was when he grew better again. Now
walk a little bit, and I will carry you up-stairs. The doctor says he
ought to be encouraged to walk," she said to his father, as she set him
down.

The child bade them "good-night" quite willingly, and went.

"Clement, stay with me," said his sister. "Christie will not get much
good of her letter for the next two hours, if you are with her."

Clement was very willing to stay. But for all that Christie did not get
much good of her letter for an hour and more, except the good it did her
to hold it in her hand, and feeling the delight that was in store for
her. Miss Gertrude came to th