r;" and once she said with a sigh, "I cannot
forget her devotion to my dear Florence. She watched beside her night
and day, and yet there were other nurses. I shall never forget her
saying to me, 'Dear Miss Flo mustn't wake up and find herself amongst
strangers, or she will be scared, poor lamb. She will like to see her
old nurse's face, bless her,' and it seemed to us all as though she
lived without sleep. She was right too," went on Mrs. Herrick softly,
"for when Florence caught sight of her she put out her arms with such a
smile. 'It is my own dear nurse,' they heard her say--those were my
darling's last words."

When Dawson had left the room Malcolm looked at Anna with a smile.

"Well," he said tentatively, "have you made up your mind about
to-morrow; is it to be Kew, or Cookham and Henley?" But to his surprise
the question seemed to embarrass the girl.

"We have been so often to Kew," she returned in a hesitating voice;
"and though the Quarry woods are delightful, it will be so hot on the
river. There is something I should like so much better, but I am afraid
you will laugh at me." But as Malcolm continued to look at her with an
indulgent smile, she went on with renewed courage--

"I hope you will not think me absurd, but I should so love to see your
chambers in Lincoln's Inn, and Malachi, and the pigeons, and little Kit
with the curly red fringe, and the old cobbler; and afterwards," and
here Anna caught her breath with excitement, "we could go to Cheyne
Walk and have tea and look at the river and talk."

"My dear child," in quite a startled voice, "what a programme for a
birthday!"

"It will be just lovely," returned Anna with sparkling eyes. "I do so
long to see Goliath and Yea-Verily and Babs. You know, Malcolm, I have
only been twice to your rooms in Cheyne Walk--once with mother, and
once when we had been to the Albert Hall--and each time the Kestons
were away."

"And you want to see little Verity. I am not sure that she is quite up
to your mark, Anna; she and Goliath are rather Bohemian."

"Oh, but you like her, and she makes you so happy and comfortable. I
want to know your friends, Malcolm; it seems to bring you nearer," and
Anna's eyes grew wistful.

"Are you sure my mother will approve of your programme?"

Then Anna smiled and nodded assent.

"She will call me a silly, fanciful child," she replied laughing.
"Mother does not understand sentimentality; but I am a privileged
person on my birth