"Yes; and very anxious to be indulged in my strange plan."

"Have you thought how awkward she will be in assisting you?"

"I have thought of it all, over and over," replied Annie, "and I
think she will make a good nurse for me."

Mrs. Lee hesitated a long time. She could not bear to deny Annie, and
could not overcome her dislike to the proposed arrangement. But
Annie's pleading look at length decided her.

"You wish very much to try this wild-goose plan!" she said, resuming
the conversation.

"Very much, mamma," replied Annie.

"Well, you shall have your own way about it. It will last but a few
days, I am sure; and the change will interest you at any rate, poor
thing!" Then going to the window, she looked down into the yard, and
said, "Mrs. Dillon, come up to Miss Annie's room, will you?"

In a minute the woman made her appearance at the door, with the suds
still lingering in foamy flakes upon her arms and along the folds of
her apron.

"You have a daughter, I believe?" said Mrs. Lee.

"Two of them, an' ye plaze, ma'am," replied Biddy, wiping her arms as
she spoke.

"Are they both at home?"

"It's Bessie that is in service; and it's only Annorah that's at home,
shure."

"What is Annorah doing?" inquired Mrs. Lee.

"Doing?" repeated Biddy wonderingly.

"I mean, how does she get her living?"

"At service too, ma'am, when it is to be had. But, shure, it's a bad
timper she has, and will sthrike and scold whin her blood is up. An'
she has lost the fine, comfortable place she had with Mrs. Green, jist
for a thrifle of spaach."

"That is unfortunate."

"Oh, thin, ye may well say that. Anither mouth in a family like me own
is far from convenient whin the cost of the mate and the flour is
beyond raach intirely."

"Well, Biddy, Miss Annie wants some one to wait on her in the place of
Jessie, who has gone. She has taken a fancy to try your girl. When can
she come?"

"Coom! Why, this very hour, an' ye like. A blessin' on yer swate, pale
face!" said Biddy, looking pityingly towards Annie.

"She must be gentler here," said Mrs. Lee; "she must govern her
temper. Miss Annie must not be excited and made worse by your girl's
fits of ill-humour."

"Leave her to me, mamma," said Annie. "I think, Mrs. Dillon, that
there will be no trouble. What did you say is her name?"

"Annorah, an' ye plaze, miss."

"Annorah? Very well. When shall she come, mamma?"

"Not until Monday, I think," replied Mrs. Lee. Then t