ten, just to shake his head and look grave over poor
little Claude. Of course the child's mother wishes it; but it is all
nonsense."

Christie looked at her in astonishment. But that the words were so
quietly and gravely spoken, she would have thought them uncalled for,
not to say impertinent, from a girl scarcely older than herself. They
needed no reply, however, and she made none.

She did not then know that Mrs Seaton was not Gertrude's own mother,
and that she was only half-sister to the two little boys, upon whom she
looked as mere children, whilst she felt herself a young lady.

"Have you been lonely here?" she asked, in a few minutes.

"A little. It is very quiet," said Christie, hesitatingly. "But I like
it."

"Is Claude fond of you?" asked Gertrude, gravely.

Christie smiled a little.

"He does not object to me. I dare say he will be fond of me in time. I
am sure he will be very glad to see you and his brother. It is very
quiet for him to be left alone with me."

"But the doctor wishes him to be quiet," said Gertrude; "and his mother
won't have him vexed on any account. I have seen her quite tremble when
his brother has come near him; and after all it is no wonder."

"Clement is so strong," said Christie; "but he will learn to be gentle
with his brother in time. How very much alike they used to be! We used
to see them driving together. We didn't know their names, but we always
called them the two pretty boys."

"Yes, they were very much alike; and it will grieve Clement, when he is
older, to know-- Did you never hear about it? They were playing
together, and Claude fell. The doctor thinks that fall was the cause of
his illness. His mother can't bear to think so, it is so sad; and
besides, it seems to make his illness more hopeless. I am afraid he
will never be strong and well again."

"Oh, don't say so," said Christie, sadly, quite shocked at what she
heard. "Please God, he will be well again. He is only a child; and
children outlive so much. For two or three years no one thought I
should live to grow up. But I am quite well now."

"You are not a giant yet, nor very strong either. At least you don't
look so," said Gertrude.

"But I shall grow strong here in the country. I am better already since
I came. Do you really think that little Master Claude will never be
strong and well again?"

"I don't know. I cannot tell. But Aunt Barbara says the doctor is not
at all hopefu