as she had been in quest
of for the last six months she might perhaps be persuaded.

"A waiting maid," 'Lina repeated to herself, remembering the forgotten
letter in her dress pocket, wondering if it could be Anna Richards,
whose advertisement Adah had answered, and if it were, congratulating
herself upon her thoughtlessness in forgetting it, as she would not for
the world have Adah Hastings, with her exact knowledge of Spring Bank,
in Mrs. Richards' family. It passed her mind that the very dress had
been given to Adah, who might find the letter yet. She only reflected
that the letter never was sent, and felt glad accordingly. Very adroitly
she set herself at work to ascertain if Anna Richards and "A.E.R." were
one and the same individual.

If Anna wished for a waiting maid, she could certainly find one, she
should suppose. She might advertise.

"She has," and the doctor began to laugh. "The most ridiculous thing. I
hardly remember the wording, but it has been copied and recopied, for
its wording, annoying Anna greatly, and bringing to our doors so many
unfortunate women in search of places, that my poor little sister
trembles now every time the bell rings, thinking it some fresh answer to
her advertisement."

"I've seen it," and 'Lina very unconsciously laid her hand on his arm.
"It was copied and commented upon by Prentice, and my sewing woman
actually thought of answering it, thinking the place would suit her. I
told her it was preposterous that 'A.E.R.' should want her with a
child."

"The very one to suit Anna," and the doctor laughed again. "That was one
of the requirements, or something. How was it, mother? I think we must
manage to get your sewing woman. What is her name?"

'Lina had trodden nearer dangerous ground than she meant to do, and she
veered off at once, replying to the doctor:

"Oh, she would not suit at all. She's too--I hardly know what, unless I
say, lifeless, or insipid. And then, I could not spare my seamstress.
She cuts nearly all my dresses."

"She must be a treasure. I have noticed how admirably they fitted," and
old Mrs. Richards glanced again at the blue silk, half wishing that Anna
had just such a waiting maid, they could all find her so useful. "If
John succeeds, maybe Miss Worthington will bring her North," was her
mental conclusion, and then, as it was growing rather late, she very
thoughtfully excused herself, saying, "It was time old people retired;
young ones, of course, cou