was herself; and I can
certify to her bein' as real as you and me are--if that's all that's
wanted."

By this time Dorry, though half-comforted, had buried her face in the
sofa-pillow.

"Not that I can't feel for you, poor dear," Liddy continued, gently
patting the young girl's shoulder, but speaking more rapidly, "many's
the time I've wept tears, just to think of you, longing with all your
little heart for a mother. I'm a rough old body, my dove, and what are
your dear good uncle and Master Donald but menkind, after all, and it's
natural you should pine for Aunty. Ah, I'm afraid it's my doings that
you've been thinkin' of her all these days, when, may be, if I'd known
your dear mother, which I didn't,--and no blame to me neither,--I
wouldn't always have been holding Miss Kate up to you. But she was a
darling, was your Aunt Kate, as you know by her picture down
stairs--don't you, dear?"

Dorry nodded into the cushion, by way of reply.

Liddy gazed at her a moment in sympathizing silence, and then, in a more
cheerful tone, begged her to rouse herself.

"It won't do any good to fret about it, you know, Miss Dorry. Come,
now, you'll have the awfulest headache that ever was, if you don't
brighten up. When you're in trouble, count your blessings--that's what I
always say; and you've a big share of 'em after all, dear. Let me make
you a nice warm cup of tea--that'll build you up, Miss Dorry. It always
helps me when I--Sakes! what's that?"

"What's what, Liddy?" said Dorry, languidly raising her head from the
pillow. "Oh, that's--that's _her_--that's Aunt Kate's frock and apron.
Yes, and here's something else. Here's Delia--I'll show her to you."

And so saying, she rose and stepped toward the cabinet.

"Show me Delia! Merciful heavens," cried Liddy, "has the child lost her
senses?"

But the sight of the doll reassured her.

"Oh, that's Delia, is it?" she asked, still wondering; "well, where in
the world did it come from?"

Dorry told her all about the discovery of the little trunk that had been
hidden in the garret so many years.

"Oh, those miserable house-cleaners!" was Liddy's wrathful comment.
"Only to think of it! We had 'em workin' up there when you twins were
too little to spare me, and I've never felt easy about it since, nor
trusted any one but myself to clean that garret. To think of their
pushin' things in, 'way out of sight and sound like that!"

This practical digression had a good effect on Dorr