e must not be shocked by suddenness or with excitement.

Anna was all stiff, and inside all a quiver with shame, anxiety
and grief. Even courageous Mrs. Lehntman, efficient, impulsive and
complacent as she was and not deeply concerned in the event, felt
awkward, abashed and almost guilty in that large, mild, helpless
presence. And at her side to make her feel the power of it all, was
the intense conviction of poor Anna, struggling to be unfeeling, self
righteous and suppressed.

"Miss Mary"--with Anna when things had to come they came always sharp
and short--"Miss Mary, Mrs. Lehntman has come here with me, so I can
tell you about not staying with you there in Curden. Of course I go
help you to get settled and then I think I come back and stay right
here in Bridgepoint. You know my brother he is here and all his
family, and I think it would be not right to go away from them so far,
and you know you don't want me now so much Miss Mary when you are all
together there in Curden."

Miss Mary Wadsmith was puzzled. She did not understand what Anna meant
by what she said.

"Why Anna of course you can come to see your brother whenever you
like to, and I will always pay your fare. I thought you understood all
about that, and we will be very glad to have your nieces come to stay
with you as often as they like. There will always be room enough in a
big house like Mr. Goldthwaite's."

It was now for Mrs. Lehntman to begin her work.

"Miss Wadsmith does not understand just what you mean Anna," she
began. "Miss Wadsmith, Anna feels how good and kind you are, and she
talks about it all the time, and what you do for her in every way you
can, and she is very grateful and never would want to go away from
you, only she thinks it would be better now that Mrs. Goldthwaite
has this big new house and will want to manage it in her own way,
she thinks perhaps it would be better if Mrs. Goldthwaite had all new
servants with her to begin with, and not a girl like Anna who knew her
when she was a little girl. That is what Anna feels about it now, and
she asked me and I said to her that I thought it would be better for
you all and you knew she liked you so much and that you were so good
to her, and you would understand how she thought it would be better
in the new house if she stayed on here in Bridgepoint, anyway for a
little while until Mrs. Goldthwaite was used to her new house. Isn't
that it Anna that you wanted Miss Wadsmith to know?"