“Sit there and keep warm. Merle; the
cab will not be here for another half hour:
what is the use of our pretending that we
are not exceedingly unhappy? My dear,
you are leaving ns with a sore heart, I cau
see that, and it only makes me love you
all the better. Yes, indeed. Merle,” for I
was clinging to her now and sobbing soft
ly under my breath; “and however things
may turn out, whether this step be a
failure or not, I will always say that you
are a brave girl who tried to do her duty.”
“Are you sure you think that. Aunt
Agatha?”
Then she smiled to herself a little sad
ly-
“ You remind me of the baby Merle who
was so anxious to help every one. I re
member you such a litl le creature, trying
to lift the nursery chair, because your
mother was tired; and how you dragged
it across the room until you were red in
the face, and came to me rubbing your
little fat hands, and looking so important.
