you may leave him to me I think now," I returned, quietly, for I
felt that I should be glad to be left to myself a little. I was very
thankful when my hint was taken, and Mrs. Garnett and Rhoda went
downstairs and Hannah disappeared into the next room. My charge was
becoming decidedly drowsy, and after a few turns up and down the room, I
could sit down in the low chair by the fire and hear the soft, regular
breathing against my shoulder, while my eyes travelled round the walls
of my new home.

Such a pleasant room it was, large and bright, and sunny, and furnished
so tastefully. The canaries were singing blithely; the Persian kitten
was rolled up into a furry ball on the rug; a small Skye terrier, who I
afterwards discovered went by the name of Snap, was keeping guard over
me from a nest of cushions on the big couch opposite. Now and then he
growled to himself softly, as though remonstrating against my intrusion,
but whenever I spoke to him gently, he sat up and begged, so I imagined
his animosity was not very bitter.

"My lines have fallen to me in pleasant places." I wonder why those
words came to my mind. I wished Aunt Agatha could see me now, sitting in
this lovely room, with this little cherub on my lap; she would not be so
despondent about the future. "I do believe it will answer; I mean to
make it answer," I said to myself, energetically. Indeed, I was so
absorbed in my reverie, that Mrs. Morton's soft footsteps on the thick
carpet never roused me until I looked up and saw her standing beside me,
smiling, with Joyce beside her.

I coloured with embarrassment, and would have risen, but she put her
hand on my shoulder, still smiling, to prevent me. She looked lovelier
than ever in her rich furs, and there was a happier look on her face
than I had seen before, as she stooped down and kissed her boy.

"He is sleeping so nicely, the darling. Mrs. Garnett tells me he has
taken to you wonderfully, and I hope my little girl will follow his
example; it is such a relief to me, for he nearly broke our hearts last
night with fretting after nurse. He looks a little pale, do you not
think so?" And then she stopped and looked in my face, with a puzzled
smile. "What am I to call you? I never thought of that; shall it be Miss
Fenton? but there are the children, they could not manage such a
difficult name."

The difficulty had never occurred to me, and for the moment I hesitated,
but only for a moment.

"The children will a