ust
before Christmas, Anna made some remarks on his tired looks in her
gentle, affectionate way, and he had checked her with unwonted
irritability.

"I wish you would get out of that habit of commenting on people's
looks," he said quite angrily. "It is very objectionable to me. I
suppose every one is tired and out of sorts at times, but it does no
good to notice it."

"I am sorry, Malcolm--I will try to remember next time," faltered Anna;
but the tears were in her eyes, and a few minutes later she left the
room.

Mrs. Herrick ventured on a remonstrance. "I am afraid you have hurt
Anna," she said; "she is so sensitive, and you were quite rough with
her."

"I am afraid I was," returned Malcolm penitently; "but if you only knew
how it riles a man to be watched so closely."

"It was a very natural speech on Anna's part," replied his mother in
her sensible, matter-of-fact way. "The truth is, Malcolm, you have not
been like yourself for months--you are ill or worried, and you do not
wish us to take any notice. Well, you shall have your way, but it is a
little hard on us both."

"Mother, there is nothing that I can tell you. You know I have said
that before. One must have worries in this life--" But Malcolm checked
himself as Anna came back into the room. She was rather quiet and
subdued all dinner-time, though she tried to appear as usual. And
Malcolm's conscience pricked him unmercifully.

Later on he found himself alone with her. She was drawing at a little
round table, and he went and stood by her.

"Annachen," he said caressingly, as he put his hand under her chin and
made her look at him, "I was a brute to speak to you as I did. Of
course you meant it kindly, dear, but it seemed to rub me up the wrong
way. I think I am tired this evening; anyhow, my head aches." And
Malcolm might have added with truthfulness that his heart ached too.

"Yes, and I worried you; it was very tactless and foolish on my part,"
and again the ready tears started to Anna's eyes. But Malcolm would not
allow this--his dear little Anna was always kind and thoughtful, and he
had no right to be so savage with her.

"My mother is always hinting at my changed looks, but indeed I try to
be as usual. If I behave so badly, I must keep away." But this threat
so alarmed Anna that he took back his words.

"He is very unhappy--I think he gets more so," Anna thought, as she
stood by her window that night; "and of course it is Elizabeth who
makes