lcolm about his new acquaintances at the Wood House; and
on this occasion he was less reticent.

But it was not until his mother had left them alone together that he
told Anna of Elizabeth's kind invitation.

A surprised flush came to the girl's face.

"Do you think you could possibly manage it, dear?" he asked with
brotherly solicitude. But he was sorry to see how her lips trembled.

"Oh no--no, you must not tempt me," very hurriedly; "it is quite--quite
impossible. I must not think of it for a moment, Malcolm," trying to
speak calmly. "I am so grateful to you for not speaking of this before
mother; it would trouble her so, and quite spoil her pleasure; mother
is so sharp, she always finds out things, and she would know at once
that I should like to go to the Wood House."

"Then I was right when I told Miss Elizabeth so," returned Malcolm. "It
is just the place you would like, Anna; I know you would be happy with
those kind women."

"I do not doubt it for a moment," and Anna's voice was rather
melancholy. "I should so love to know your friends, Malcolm; it all
sounds so lovely, and you would be near, and--and it was so dear of
Miss Elizabeth to think of it. Will you thank her for me, Malcolm, and
tell her that mother needs me so much, and that she has no one else."

"Did you mean that for a hit at me, Anna dear?" and Malcolm's voice was
rather reproachful.

"For you," looking at him tenderly, "oh no--no, Malcolm;" and then to
his dismay she suddenly burst into tears.

"Don't mind me, I am silly to-night," she said, struggling to regain
her composure. "Mother is right, and I am not quite well, and--and
things will go crooked in this world." But though Malcolm petted her,
and called her a foolish child, and his dear little sister, Anna did
not regain her former cheerfulness. And when Mrs. Herrick joined them
she said her head had begun aching again, and that she would go to bed.

Malcolm wished her good-night at the foot of the staircase, and watched
her until she was out of sight. His mother looked at him a little
keenly when he rejoined her.

"What have you and Anna been talking about?" she asked rather abruptly;
"the child does not look quite happy."

"We were only talking about the ladies of the Wood House," he returned
quietly. "Anna thinks she would like to make their acquaintance some
day." But Mrs. Herrick made no reply to this; she was regarding her son
thoughtfully, and her strong, sensible face w