ad been
confident that her merry talk would be a real pleasure to the sick
child, and help to pass happily many a tedious hour of her long day;
and, on the other hand, she relied much on the benefit which her romping
little girl would receive from the refined and gentle Nora. She saw,
however, that there was nothing to be done about it, and that she could
only trust to time, which often works wonders when things seem hopeless.

"By and by, perhaps, they will come together. Children often do, just
when you least expect it," she said.

Her sister shook her head. "Emma and Nora were not made for each other,
any more than fire and water," she said; and then they quitted the
subject, and talked about Elsli's prospects, and rejoiced at the thought
that the days of servitude to her burdensome little brothers were over,
at least for the present.

CHAPTER VI.

AUNTY IS IN DEMAND AGAIN.

On the following day, at eleven o'clock, Elsli entered the house at
Oak-ridge as quietly as a little mouse; so quietly that Nora did not
hear her come into the house, and was startled when she suddenly saw her
standing just inside the door of the sitting-room. Elsli had brushed her
light brown hair carefully back from her forehead, leaving only a few
soft curls to wave about her eyes. Her mother had allowed her to put on
a fresh white apron and a bright kerchief, as she was going among the
gentry. The little pale face had a somewhat anxious look, and her big
blue eyes had a timid expression as she glanced toward Nora, doubting
whether she ought to come into the room or not.

"Come in," said Nora; "are you the girl who is coming to do our
errands?"

Elsli answered in so gentle a voice, and her whole air was so winning,
that Nora felt instantly drawn towards her, and she stretched out her
hand, saying, "Come here, and sit down by me, and let us have a little
talk. Isn't your name Elsli?" she continued; "mamma has some errands for
you this morning; sewing-silk and pencils and eggs to get; but can't you
sit down and talk with me a little first, or will that give you too
little time for them, so that you'll have to hurry and so you'll get
tired."

"Oh, no, the errands will not tire me," replied Elsli. "I get tired at
home, because I have to carry the little boys about so much."

"Then _you_ do know what it is to feel tired, very tired?"

"Yes, indeed, I know only too well. I am almost always tired, and
sometimes I think I should l