, and perhaps prevent her from dwelling long
on the dreaded subject. The game of dominoes, Grace, a box of beads,
and Andersen's fairy tales. Struggling upstairs with these, she was
soon in the invalid's room.

Sophia Jane looked much more like herself than when Susan had last seen
her. She was lying quietly down among her pillows with a very white
little face, and one hand resting feebly on the substantial form of
Dinah, Margaretta's black doll. By her side was a tiny bunch of
snowdrops which Nanna had found in the garden that morning; how kind
everyone was to her now! It gave Susan a little pang to remember that
she herself had done nothing to please her, but just the opposite.
Often, when Sophia Jane was well, she had asked to be allowed to have
Dinah to herself for a little while, but had always been refused. Now,
here she was. She was a most attractive doll, for there was a foreign
air about her that distinguished her from all English ones. The nuns at
Bahia had stuffed her so cleverly that her plump black face and limbs
glistened; she wore earrings, a gay turban, and very full flowered
chintz skirts. All her under-garments would "take off," and were
trimmed with curious hand-made lace. It was a great privilege to be
allowed to play with her.

Sophia Jane received her visitor quietly, with a small pinched smile.
In answer to Susan's inquiries she pronounced herself better, but added
with her usual old-fashioned air:

"I'm not well yet, though. I'm still ill and shaky."

"What would you like to play at?" was Susan's next inquiry put rather
hastily.

"Nothing at all," was the decided answer. "I want to talk."

"But," said Susan earnestly, "aunt told me you were not to talk much--
she did, really."

"Well, I'll ask questions, and you talk," said Sophia Jane.

"Wouldn't you rather have a game of dominoes?" Susan ventured to
suggest.

"No," answered Sophia Jane snappishly, "I wouldn't." Such an angry
gleam came into her eyes that Susan, remembering she was not to vex or
thwart her, resigned herself to be questioned. Her heart beat quickly.
What would the first question be? It was quite an easy one.

"Did she like it?" asked Sophia Jane, settling herself comfortably on
her elbow, and staring at her companion.

"Very much indeed," answered Susan.

"Did it fit him? Tell me all about it."

"Beautifully. I put it on myself, and he looked very nice in it. I had
dinner with Mademoiselle, and