ime;
but by and by she was taken up-stairs, and into a room where a lady was
sitting in the dress of an invalid, with an infant on her lap. She
greeted Christie very kindly; but there was a look of disappointment on
her face, the girl was sure.

"She seems very young, nurse, and not very strong," she said.

"She is not far from fifteen, and she says she has good health. She has
been very well brought up," said Mrs Greenly, quickly, giving Christie
a look she did not understand.

"How old are you?" asked Mrs Lee, seeming not to have heard the nurse.

"I was fourteen in June. I am very well now, and much stronger than I
look. I will try and do my best."

There was something in the lady's face and voice that made Christie very
anxious to stay.

"Have you ever been in a place before?" the lady asked again.

Christie shook her head; but Mrs Greenly took upon herself in reply.

"Dear, no! It's only lately that her father died. There is a large
family of them. The oldest sister is trying to keep the little ones
together, Mrs McIntyre tells me; and two of the sisters have come to
the city to take places. The elder one is at Mrs Vinton's, in Beaver
Hall."

Remembering the consequences of such a communication on a former
occasion, Christie trembled; but she was soon relieved.

"Poor child!" said the lady. "So you have never been from home before?"

"No, ma'am," said Christie, eagerly. "But I was very glad to come. I
was sorry to leave them all; but I wished to do my part. I will do my
best for you and the children."

"You needn't fear that the children will learn anything wrong from her,
ma'am," she heard Mrs Greenly say. "She has been well brought up."

But she heard no more; for the pattering of little feet on the stairs
told of the approach of children. The door opened, and a little girl,
six or seven years old, entered, followed by two little boys, who were
younger. The girl went directly to her mother, and began stroking the
baby's face. The boys, looking defiantly at Mrs Greenly, as though to
assure her that they would not submit to be sent away, took their stand
behind their mother's chair. The mother's hand was gently laid on the
little girl's head.

"Where is Harry?" she asked.

"He's asleep in Nelly's clothes-basket. She said we were not to make a
noise to wake him, so we came up here. Bridget has gone away."

"Yes, I know. And has Letty been trying to amuse her brothers, to help