them," said Aunt Elsie,
coldly. "I see nothing more than usual the matter with her. If she's
no' well, home's the best place for her. I see no cause why Mrs
Nesbitt should be troubled with the likes of her."

"Oh, Mrs Nesbitt winna think it a trouble. Christie will be no trouble
to her. I know she canna well be spared. You'll miss her; but she'll
be all the better a nurse when she comes home strong and cheerful."

"I beg you winna think about me in making your plans for pleasuring,"
said her aunt, in a tone which always made those who heard it
uncomfortable. "I'll try and do without her services for a while. She
thinks much of herself; and so do you, it seems."

There was an unpleasant pause, during which Effie congratulated herself
on the forethought that had sent Christie safely to bed before the
matter was discussed. Annie, as she generally did in similar
circumstances, started another subject, hoping to avert anything more
unpleasant. But Effie wanted the matter decided, and Aunt Elsie had
something more to say.

"It's my belief you mean to spoil the lassie, if she's no spoiled
already, petting and making a work with her as though she were really
ill. Ill! It's little any of you ken what it is to be ill."

"I don't think she's very ill," said Effie, gently; "but she's nervous
and weary and out of sorts, and I think maybe a change--"

"Nervous!" repeated Aunt Elsie, contemptuously. "It was better days
when there was less said about nerves than I am in the way of hearing
now. Let a bairn be cross, or sulky, and, oh! it's nervous she is, poor
thing! Let her have a change. I know not, for my part, what the world
is coming to. Nervous, indeed!"

"I didna mean to excuse Christie's peevishness--far from it," said
Effie. "I know you have not a cheerful companion in her. But I do
think she is not well; and as Mrs Nesbitt asked her, I thought perhaps
you wouldna mind letting her go for a while."

"It matters little what I may think on that or any other subject," said
Aunt Elsie, in a tone which betrayed that anger was giving place to
sadness. "Helpless as I am, and burdensome, I should take what
consideration I can get, and be thankful. I needna expect that my
wishes will govern any of you."

This was very unjust, and the best way to make her feel that it was so
was to keep silence; and not a word was said in reply. In a little time
she said, again--

"I dinna see how you can think of taking