uld not possibly come before, dear.'

'No--but now you will stay for a long time? Mamma, won't you ask Miss
Ross to stay to tea? and Biddy will bake some scones. Biddy will do
anything for Miss Ross; she said so the other day.'

'My dear child, I could not possibly stay; I am going to have tea with
my sister--she lives in one of the Hill houses. Another time, Mollie,'
as a cloud of disappointment passed over Mollie's face; and to divert
her thoughts she took up the work: 'Why, what pretty stuff! is this for
your new frock?'

Mollie's brow cleared like magic.

'Yes; is it not lovely? Cyril chose it; he bought it for my last
birthday, only mamma was too busy to make it up. But both my frocks will
be done to-night--mamma says she will not go to bed until they are
finished.'

'Well, and I mean to keep my word,' returned Mrs. Blake good-humouredly;
'and your new hat will be trimmed, too, and then Cyril will not grumble
any more about his sister's shabbiness. I have been working like a slave
ever since I got up this morning, and yet this naughty child pretended
she was tired because I wanted her to stitch the sleeves.'

'But, mamma, I had to iron all those handkerchiefs for Biddy.'

'Yes, I know--and it was terribly hot in the kitchen; she does look
tired, does she not, Miss Ross? I have a good idea, Mollie: put down
that sleeve, and I will finish it myself in a twinkling, and fetch your
hat and go down to the cricket-field and bring Cyril back with you to
tea--it will be a nice walk for you.'

'Oh, mamma!' protested Mollie; 'I would so much rather stay here with
you and Miss Ross, and I don't care about the walk.'

'But if I wish you to go;' and there was a certain inflection in Mrs.
Blake's soft voice which evidently obliged poor Mollie to obey. She rose
reluctantly, but there were tears of vexation in her eyes. Audrey felt
grieved for her favourite, but she was unwilling to interfere; she only
took the girl's hand and detained her a moment.

'Mrs. Blake, could you spare Mollie to me to-morrow afternoon? I want to
show her our garden--it is looking so lovely just now.'

'You are very kind,' hesitating slightly; 'but are you sure that it will
be convenient to Mrs. Ross?'

'My mother has nothing to do with it--Mollie will be my visitor,'
returned Audrey quietly; and then she continued diplomatically: 'I know
my mother intends to call on you next week, Mrs. Blake; she and my
sister were planning it this morning--